{
  "abstract": "Objectives The transition to adulthood can be a difficult time for young people managing their allergies. Many embark on more risky activities such as drinking, partying and travelling, and must also learn to manage their allergies independently. Moreover, studies have shown that young people with allergies are more likely to have mental health co-morbidities compared to healthy controls. 1 The project aimed to gauge how young people felt about managing their allergies and if there were certain topics they’d like to learn about. In parallel, it evaluated staff perspectives on which topics were routinely discussed with patients. This would highlight any gaps, so that service improvement can be designed with the young people at the forefront.Methods The patient survey was of patients aged 12-18yo in allergy transition clinics between June – September 2024. 16 responses were received. It measured their confidence and anxiety managing their allergies, current sources of education, and topics they would like to learn about. A survey was also sent to the allergy team. 8 responses were received from paediatric consultants, GPs, allergy CNS and dieticians. The survey asked how often they discussed the topics and how comfortable they felt doing so.Results The patient survey showed that most patients(13/16) reported they were fairly confident at managing their allergies, but that most worried about their allergies at least weekly(9/16). The topics they most wanted to learn about were travelling, eczema and eating out/cooking ( figure 1). 5 patients wanted to learn about smoking, partying and mental health, and staff had reported discussing these less frequently. The primary source of allergy information for most patients was their hospital team (figure 2).The staff survey showed that staff regularly gave information about eating out/cooking, travelling, asthma and eczema. More sensitive topics such as smoking, dating, alcohol and partying were more rarely covered. The survey found that they often felt uneasy talking about these sensitive topics and felt the patients were often uncomfortable too. All staff surveyed did not have enough time to cover all these topics in consultations.Conclusion The study suggests that more needs to be done to improve the confidence and anxiety of young people managing their allergies, and to enable more open conversations with healthcare professionals about sensitive topics. An information leaflet with resources is being developed and evaluated to support the staff and patients in allergy transition services.Abstract 8013 Figure 1Abstract 8013 Figure 2Reference Molzon ES, Hullmann SE, Eddington AR, Mullins LL. Depression, Anxiety, and Health-Related Quality of Life in Adolescents and Young Adults With Allergies and Asthma. Journal of Asthma & Allergy Educators. 2011;2(6):288-294.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "North Middlesex University Hospital"
      ],
      "name": "Ilana Gluck"
    }
  ],
  "title": "8013 An evaluation of patient and staff perspectives on transition clinics for young people with allergies, in a district general hospital",
  "uid": "8d80ef16-bb9c-5b78-b7aa-4d96dfe1b4c6"
}