Transitions from child to adult health care for young people with intellectual disabilities: A systematic review.

Abstract

To examine the experiences of health transitions for young people with intellectual disabilities and their carers and identify the implications for nursing practice. A systematic review and critical appraisal of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods studies. A search of the relevant literature published 2007-2017 was carried out in AMED, ASSIA, CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, PubMed, and Science Direct Sociological Abstracts databases. A total of 12 of 637 papers identified in the search met the inclusion criteria for this review. A narrative review of the papers was undertaken by synthesizing the key findings and grouping them into concepts and emergent themes. Four main themes were identified: (a) becoming an adult; (b) fragmented transition process and care; (c) parents as advocates in emotional turmoil; and (d) making transitions happen. The range of issues that have an impact on the transition from child to adult health services for young people with intellectual disabilities and their carers raise important implications for policy development, nursing practice, and education.