title: The LIFEspan model of transitional rehabilitative care for youth with disabilities: healthcare professionals' perspectives on service delivery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  LIFEspan is a service delivery model of continuous coordinated care developed and implemented by a cross-organization partnership between a pediatric and an adult rehabilitation hospital. Previous work explored enablers and barriers to establishing the partnership service. This paper examines healthcare professionals' (HCPs') experiences of 'real world' service delivery aimed at supporting transitional rehabilitative care for youth with disabilities.
  
  
  METHODS
  This qualitative study - part of an ongoing mixed method longitudinal study - elicited HCPs' perspectives on their experiences of LIFEspan service delivery through in-depth interviews. Data were categorized into themes of service delivery activities, then interpreted from the lens of a service integration/coordination framework.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five main service delivery themes were identified: 1) addressing youth's transition readiness and capacities; 2) shifting responsibility for healthcare management from parents to youth; 3) determining services based on organizational resources; 4) linking between pediatric and adult rehabilitation services; and, 5) linking with multi-sector services.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LIFEspan contributed to service delivery activities that coordinated care for youth and families and integrated inter-hospital services. However, gaps in service integration with primary care, education, social, and community services limited coordinated care to the rehabilitation sector. Recommendations are made to enhance service delivery using a systems/sector-based approach.
authors.affiliation: Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Yani
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hamdani
authors.affiliation: Bloorview Research Institute, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Meghann
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Proulx
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada Bloorview Research Institute, Toronto, Canada Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Shauna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kingsnorth
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada Bloorview Research Institute, Toronto, Canada Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lindsay
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, Canada Toronto Rehab Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Maxwell
authors.affiliation: Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada Toronto Rehab Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Colantonio
authors.affiliation: Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Colin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Macarthur
authors.affiliation: Toronto Rehab Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bayley
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D066086:Health Services for Persons with Disabilities / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D036301:Qualitative Research; D060305:Transition to Adult Care / Q000458:organization & administration*
keywords: Transition; childhood disability; continuity of care; coordinated care; service delivery; young adults