In view of the single-agent activity seen in advanced breast cancer, modest toxicity profile, and novel mechanism of action, gemcitabine deserves evaluation in breast cancer and is an ideal candidate for combination therapy.
Eight interventions were identified as facilitating transition from children's to adult services. The inter-relationships between these interventions supported two complementary models for successful transition. One focused on fostering a sense of confidence among adult service providers to manage the complex care of the young adult, and empowering providers to make the necessary preparations in terms of facilities and staff training. The other focused on the young adults, with service providers collaborating to develop an autonomous young adult, whilst actively involving parents/carers. These models interact in that a knowledgeable, confident young adult who is growing in decision-making abilities is best placed to take advantage of services - but only if those services are properly resourced and run by staff with appropriate skills. No single intervention or stakeholder group can guarantee a successful transition. Rather, service providers could work with young adults and their parents/carers to consider desired outcomes, and the range of interventions, in light of the organisational and human resources available in their context. This would allow them to supplement the organisational context where necessary and select interventions that are more likely to deliver outcomes in that context.
There has been a growing international interest in extending nursing practice beyond the level acquired at initial registration (East et al., 2015) to advanced nursing roles. The role of the nurse has steadily evolved over the previous two decades due to influencing factors such as developments in healthcare delivery, financial restraints and increasing service user expectations (Furlong & Smith, 2005). One commonly identified category of Advanced Practice Nursing is the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) role (East et al., 2015; International Council of Nurses, 2020) which has been evolving over the past 20 years (Balsdon & Wilkinson, 2014
Early planning, collaboration between children's and adult service providers, and a focus on increasing the young adults' confidence in decision-making and engaging with adult services, are vital to a successful transition. Interventions should be tailored to their context and focused not only on organisational procedures but on equipping young adults, parents/carers and staff to engage with each other effectively.
Background: Managing transition of adolescents/young adults with life-limiting conditions from children's to adult services has become a global health and social care issue. Suboptimal transitions from children's to adult services can lead to measurable adverse outcomes. Interventions are emerging but there is little theory to guide service developments aimed at improving transition. The Transition to Adult Services for Young Adults with Life-limiting conditions (TAYSL study) included development of the TASYL Transition Theory, which describes eight interventions which can help prepare services and adolescents/young adults with life-limiting conditions for a successful transition. We aimed to assess the usefulness of the TASYL Transition Theory in a Canadian context to identify interventions, mechanisms and contextual factors associated with a successful transition from children's to adult services for adolescents/young adults; and to discover new theoretical elements that might modify the TASYL Theory. Methods: A cross-sectional survey focused on organisational approaches to transition was distributed to three organisations providing services to adolescents with life-limiting conditions in Toronto, Canada. This data was mapped to the TASYL Transition Theory to identify corresponding and new theoretical elements. Results: Invitations were sent to 411 potentially eligible health care professionals with 56 responses from across the three participating sites. The results validated three of the eight interventions: early start to the transition process; developing adolescent/young adult autonomy; and the role of parents/carers; with partial support for the remaining five. One new intervention was identified: effective communication between healthcare professionals and the adolescent/young adult and their parents/carers. There was also support for contextual factors including those related to staff knowledge and attitudes, and a lack of time to provide transition services centred on the adolescent/young adult. Some mechanisms were supported, including the adolescent/young adult gaining confidence in relationships with service providers and in decision-making.
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