Co-designing recommendations to improve adolescent and young adult healthcare in Queensland.

Abstract

This research aimed to identify and co-design recommendations to optimise adolescent and young adult (AYA) healthcare through the development of a statewide strategy. An exploratory mixed methods co-design constructionist epistemological framework was used to identify recommendations. Participants comprised young people (15-25 years of age) with experience accessing healthcare for acute or chronic concerns, carers and professionals. Focus groups and a statewide survey were conducted concurrently. Eighty-one individuals varying in location and fields across Queensland participated in nine focus groups. Themes and subthemes were successfully identified through the thematic analysis of the focus groups. Within the context of barriers and enablers, participants identified gaps and proposed recommendations to optimise care. Across the nine focus groups, consistent themes emerged, demonstrating sufficient data collection and saturation of responses. Additionally, 107 responses were collected, scored and ranked through the statewide survey prioritising predetermined recommendations to optimise AYA care, based on scoping work completed in 2020. Of the 57 recommendations presented to survey participants, 41 (71.9%) of these were classified as 'needed' and 'very important' to optimise AYA healthcare. Collective thematic analysis resulted in a list of prioritised recommendations to improve healthcare services for AYAs. The research highlighted two central priorities: overcoming systemic challenges within AYA healthcare and establishing a clear, consistent definition and model of quality care in Queensland. The combined findings strongly support the urgent need to embed standardised principles, approaches and practices across the health system to ensure equitable and effective care for all young people.