What We Learned from TransitionMate: A Mobile App Designed to Support Young People with Chronic Illness

Abstract

Young people with chronic illness eventually undergo transition from paediatric to adult healthcare. This is often a complex and daunting process for adolescents, requiring significant adjustment and increased autonomy to manage illness within the context of young people's daily lives. The ubiquitous nature of mobile phones facilitates novel communication channels to engage, support and empower young people to take greater control of their illness management and to improve health outcomes during this crucial period. In this paper, we present a novel mobile phone application aimed at supporting self-management and transition in young people with chronic illness. Nine participants completed a pilot study using the application, and we discuss the outcomes of the study in this paper.