Abstract
Young adults in this transitional period of their lives are at substantial risk of 'being lost' within the health care system, particularly when their living situation and healthcare settings change (Majumder, Cogen, and Monaghan, 2017). Eliciting health professionals' insight into the facilitators and barriers emerging adults with type-1 diabetes experience, could potentially ensure they do not become 'lost' within the system due to ineffective healthcare or interventions during this transitional time. This project aims to uncover, from a health professional perspective, what facilitators and barriers are present for emerging adults transitioning into independent living situations. Qualitative description inquiry was the chosen methodology for this research project, (Sandelowski, 2000).
Data collection was undertaken using open-ended semi-structured interview questions using telephone and 'zoom' communication tools. Data analysis was undertaken using thematic analysis. Three interviews with health professionals resulted in the emergence of three key themes: self-management development, extrinsic engagement, and disruptive factors. It is clear both from the results of this study and discussion within wider literature that health professionals hold a valuable role in being able to identify current facilitators and barriers to provide effective diabetes healthcare specific to each of these factors. By understanding such facilitators and barriers, health professionals will be able to guide emerging adults through the transition process, allowing for positive development of self-management skills, good glycaemic control outcomes and an overall positive transition experience.