title: Gender and Transition From Pediatric to Adult Health Care Among Youth With Acquired Brain Injury: Experiences in a Transition Model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore gender and sex differences in experiences of transitioning to adult health care among young adults with acquired brain injury (ABI) who take part in a coordinated model of transitional care.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive design using in-depth semistructured qualitative interviews.
  
  
  METHODS
  Interviews over the phone and in person.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants (N=18) included 10 young adults with a diagnosis of ABI (4 women, 6 men; age range, 19-21y) and 9 parents (8 women, 1 man) from the Greater Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada.
  
  
  METHODS
  Not applicable.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semistructured interviews with participants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our findings highlight several commonalities and differences relative to sex and gender among young adults with ABI who are transitioning from pediatric to adult care. Both young adult men and women experienced a similar transition process and similar organization, continuity, and availability of care. Sex differences were found in relational factors (eg, communication, family involvement, social support). Young adult men, and parents of the men, differed in their transition regarding relational factors (eg, communication, family involvement).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings show that young adult men and women with ABI who have taken part in a transition preparation program experience similarities in organization, continuity, and availability of care, but they experience differences in relational factors (eg, communication, family involvement).
authors: Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, ON; Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON. Electronic address: slindsay@hollandbloorview.ca.
authors: Sally
authors: S
authors: Lindsay
authors: Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, ON.
authors: Meghann
authors: M
authors: Proulx
authors: Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, ON; Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, Toronto, ON.
authors: Joanne
authors: J
authors: Maxwell
authors: Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.
authors: Yani
authors: Y
authors: Hamdani
authors: Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, Toronto, ON.
authors: Mark
authors: M
authors: Bayley
authors: Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON; Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors: Colin
authors: C
authors: Macarthur
authors: Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON; Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, Toronto, ON.
authors: Angela
authors: A
authors: Colantonio
mesh_terms: D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003142:Communication; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009864:Ontario; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012737:Sex Factors; D012944:Social Support; D060305:Transition to Adult Care; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Adolescent; Brain injuries; Gender identity; Pediatrics; Rehabilitation