Pediatric Nurse Practitioners' Perspectives on Engaging Adolescents to Shift from Pediatric to Adolescent-Focused Health Care Services

Abstract

Introduction: This study examined the perspectives of pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs) on the shift from pediatric to adolescent-focused health care services (HCS). This movement coincides with the early stages of the health care transition process.

Method: Conference attendees (N = 170) participated in a discussion on the shift from pediatric to adolescent-focused HCS. A secondary analysis was conducted. Data were analyzed for themes using content analysis.

Results: Confidentiality was found to be a foundational aspect of adolescent-focused HCS. Two additional themes described adolescent-focused HCS characteristics and the role of the PNP in providing education and empowerment for adolescents and parents throughout this process.

Discussion: PNPs provide critical leadership in facilitating the shift to adolescent-focused care by providing HCS designed to support confidentiality, respond to the needs of adolescents, and offer education to empower adolescents and parents on the importance of adolescent-focused care and engagement in the overall health care transition process.

Keywords: Adolescent; confidentiality; empowerment; pediatric nurse practitioner; transition.