PEEPS Toolkit: A Patient-Centered Resource to Support Equitable Health Transition for Youth with Special Health Care Needs
Lindsey Hollingsworth, MMS, PA-C, and her team at UF Health Jacksonville are increasing accessibility for adolescents and young adults with special health care needs.
“Many youth want to take greater responsibility for their care but need support and tools to do so effectively,” said Hollingsworth.
Without systems in place, patients and families may struggle with the transition from pediatric to adult health care and experience gaps in care, reduced compliance, and increased stress.
The PEEPS Toolkit pilot supports this transition by Preparing, Enriching, Empowering, and Propelling Self-advocacy.
Fifty patients, ages 13-20, and their families will meet with an interprofessional team to select tools that will support their daily health routines, such as pill organizers, a mindfulness journal or coloring book, blood pressure monitors, digital thermometers, digital scales, and reusable water bottles. Patients will also receive in person and virtual support.
Outcomes will be tracked through Transition Readiness Assessment Questionnaires (TRAQ); assessment of no-show rates and medication adherence; and self-reported surveys and informal feedback about toolkit utilization.
The data will inform continuous improvement and discussions about how to expand the model.
“This project truly algins with my passion for helping young people feel more confident, prepared, and capable of managing their own care,” said Hollingsworth. “It is not just a short-term project, but a part of our broader mission at the clinic to make health care more equitable, particularly for those patients who are often overlooked.”
The nccPA Health Foundation is pleased to support this patient-centered pilot that equips patients to participate in their own care as they transition from pediatric to adult health care.