Measuring the transition readiness of youth with special healthcare needs: validation of the TRAQ--Transition Readiness Assessment Questionnaire.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to develop the Transition Readiness Assessment Questionnaire (TRAQ), a measure of readiness for transition from pediatric to adult healthcare for youth with special health care needs (YSHCN).


METHODS
We administered TRAQ to 192 YSHCN aged 16-26 years in three primary diagnostic categories, conducted factor analysis, and assessed differences in TRAQ scores by age, gender, race, and primary diagnosis type.


RESULTS
Factor analysis identified two TRAQ domains with high internal consistency: Skills for Self-Management and Skills for Self-Advocacy. Each domain had high internal consistency. In multivariate regression models, older age and a primary diagnosis of an activity limiting physical condition were associated with higher scores in Self-Management, and female gender and a primary diagnosis of an activity limiting physical condition were associated with higher scores in Self-Advocacy.


CONCLUSIONS
Our initial validation study suggests the TRAQ is a useful tool to assess transition readiness in YSHCN and to guide educational interventions by providers to support transition.
Sawicki
Gregory S
GS
Division of Respiratory Diseases, Children's Hospital Boston, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA. gregory.sawicki@childrens.harvard.edu
Lukens-Bull
Katryne
K
Yin
Xiaoping
X
Demars
Nathan
N
Huang
I-Chan
IC
Livingood
William
W
Reiss
John
J
Wood
David
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000628:therapy*; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006296:Health Services; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012648:Self Care; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012737:Sex Factors