Journal Article

PTU-82 Time to tackle Transition training in Gastroenterology: Results of a UK survey

Kulendrarajah, B, Mozdiak, Ella, Brooks, AJ, Scarlett, DE, Narula, P, Smith, PJ

2021

Overview

IntroductionInadequate transition for chronic health conditions is associated with poor disease outcomes. The training of health care professionals in developmentally appropriate healthcare in the United Kingdom (UK) has not been measured. This national survey explores experience of Adolescent and Young Person (AYP) dedicated training and service delivery, from both adult and paediatric perspective.MethodsA 30-item ‘SurveyMonkey®’ questionnaire was developed by the British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) AYP committee. This was emailed by the BSG and British Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (BSPGHAN) to its member trainees and those within five years of Consultant appointment, between June-September 2020.ResultsOf 70 respondents, 71.4% were senior trainees or ≤ 5 years post CCT, with 54% being female. AYP training was not accessible to 58% in their current or most recent post. Of those that had prior AYP training, the majority (39%) had been to transition clinics. A fifth felt ‘at least confident’ that training offered adequate experience of AYP training. Nearly half of respondents wanted AYP specific training.Significant barriers to AYP training (figure 1) and delivery were reported including lack of resources (60%), issues with funding e.g. who pays for the service (52%) and a lack of local interest in service development (46%).Important patient related factors for successful transition were reported as ability to take medications unsupervised, patient understanding of disease and treatment.Health care related barriers to successful transition (1=lowest importance, 4=highest importance), were lack of time/space to set up joint clinic (3.12), lack of support services (3.04) and lack of funding (3.01).ConclusionsThis cross-society national survey has revealed AYP training is extremely limited and the majority of respondents perceive inadequate experience and confidence in this area, despite there being a demand for change. AYP service delivery is widely varied with lack of resources, funding and interest as key healthcare related barriers. A concerted expansion both at national curricula development level and in individual departments is urgently needed, to advance exposure and training in AYP Gastroenterology.Abstract PTU-82 Figure 1Barriers to AYP training: responses

• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Society of Gastroenterology,BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subject: Chronic illnesses / Funding / Gastroenterology / Health care / Patients / Pediatrics / Training