CAT project: Child to Adult Transitions

Challenges Faced by Young People in Transition

The CAT (Child to Adult Transitions) research project aims to improve the transition from child to adult treatment in both psychiatry and somatics. It does this by developing new solutions that support and guide young patients, reducing the risk of them being lost during the transition period.

Every fifth young person in the programme region suffers from serious or chronic illness. These young patients rely on the support of their parents and the healthcare system. However, once they turn 18, they are on their own as they automatically transition from paediatric to adult wards, where they receive fewer consultations and less support. An abrupt transition can result in treatment interruption or serious complications – in the worst case scenario, early death. Interrupted treatment is also a socio-economic issue.

Therefore, it is crucial that more attention is paid to the child-to-adult transition in healthcare.

As part of the project, Trifork invested in the development of digital solutions and facilitated co-creation workshops involving young patients and healthcare professionals. The aim was to ensure that the solutions were rooted in real user needs and experiences related to the transition from paediatric to adult care.

Based on insights from these workshops, Trifork designed and developed a prototype for an app intended to support young people through the transition process. The app focuses on preparation, guidance, and follow-up, helping to make the shift between care systems more manageable and transparent.