Implementing transition readiness screening by nurses in pediatric oncology long-term follow-up care during the COVID-19 pandemic: Barriers and facilitators

This study aimed to 1) describe adolescent cancer survivors' transition readiness and self-reported goals in a limited clinical sample; and 2) investigate healthcare providers' (HCPs') perspectives about a nurse-led clinical utilization of the Transition Readiness Assessment Questionnaire (TRAQ) and its subsequent discontinuation in a long-term follow-up (LTFU) pediatric oncology clinic. Data were collected from adolescent survivors (n = 7) at a tertiary pediatric hospital, while in-depth interviews were conducted with HCPs (n = 3) from the LTFU oncology clinic. Qualitative data revealed barriers, facilitators, and strategies for TRAQ implementation, relating to the tool, HCPs, adolescents, and the clinical context. The understanding of the barriers and facilitators to TRAQ use will support a structured implementation plan for TRAQ use in future clinical practice. Analysis revealed varying levels of readiness for transition to adult care services among patients and identified themes in their self-set goals, supporting the need for transition readiness supports in this population.