Transition: young person-centred care

Young people with a life threatening or limiting health condition tell us they often feel overwhelmed by their diagnosis, the options, the treatment, the side effects and sometimes the change in identity when living with a disease or condition. However they are still young people who have hopes and aspirations for the time when they are alive.

These young people want health professionals to be curious about their story. They want professionals to support them in reaching their goals.

This kind of curiosity is caring in action. It requires you to focus completely on the person in front of you; listening to them and understanding their needs is the most important thing at that moment. 

Tips from young people include:

 - “Ask me what’s important to me. I want to live my life. I need things to lift me (I have accepted I am dying).”

 - “Ask me how I think you can help me (and what support I want)”

 - “Find out what I love.”

 - “What do you love?”

 - “One size doesn’t fit all” 

 - “The quality of your experiences equals the quality of your life”

Illustrations courtesy of Studio Beci