Digital Delivery of Person-centered Transitional Care

Advances in medical care have extended the life expectancy of individuals with congenital and pediatric-onset diseases, leading to an increased need for effective transition programs as these individuals move from pediatric to adult healthcare. The STEPSTONES project in Sweden is designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a person-centered transition program to support teenagers with chronic conditions during this transition. The project's innovative digital adaptation, Digi-STEPSTONES, seeks to address challenges related to accessibility and continuity of care by delivering the program remotely. This study will assess the non-inferiority of the digital program compared to traditional, in-person care, focusing on outcomes such as patient empowerment, transition readiness, and quality of life. Additionally, the project will explore the implementation and scalability of the digital transition model across various chronic conditions. Preliminary studies have highlighted the importance of structured, person-centered care in improving empowerment and other outcomes in adolescents with chronic illnesses. The Digi-STEPSTONES project aims to provide crucial evidence for the digital delivery of transition programs, potentially enhancing the accessibility and effectiveness of care for young people with chronic conditions in Sweden.