Publication Date
7-2017
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Abstract
Introduction:
Most congenital heart disease [CHD] is diagnosed and treated in early childhood with parents responsible for decision-making. The adolescent assumes this role in preparation for transition to an adult congenital heart program. We studied the knowledge base of our adolescent CHD patients and their parents.
Methods:
Established CHD patients, >11 y.o. and their parents, were independently surveyed in the outpatient clinic. Participation was voluntary. Cardiomyopathy, electrophysiology and transplant patients were excluded. Scores were assessed as full, partial or incomplete.
Results:
Most (98% parents; 83% adolescents) reported that their cardiologist had provided education. Adolescents provided a full (49%) and partial (15%) medical name and full (32%) and partial (35%) description of their condition. Older adolescents performed better (p<0.005). Parents scored better, regardless of patient age (p<0.005). Presence of prior surgery/intervention made no difference. Patients undergoing last surgery >11 y.o. scored better than those with surgery only when younger or without surgery (p<0.05) [data not shown]. Patients with mild unrepaired or surgically repaired shunt lesions (ASD, VSD, PDA), and their parents, were much less able to name their lesion than those with left heart lesions (aortic stenosis, coarctation, mitral valve disease), tetralogy of Fallot, TGA/TAPVR or palliated single ventricles, but similar in ability to at least partially describe the defect (p<0.005). In this more affected population, the ability to fully name the defect (81/134; 60%) far exceeded the ability to fully describe it (37/134; 28%; p<0.005).
Conclusion:
Only one-half of adolescents are able to name their cardiac defect, and one-third are able to adequately describe the anatomy. Older adolescents, those with a more recent history of surgery and those with more complex defects perform better. Parents are much more knowledgeable than their children. A strong emphasis should be made on educating adolescents with CHD as they transition to adulthood.
Disciplines
Cardiology | Congenital, Hereditary, and Neonatal Diseases and Abnormalities | Pediatrics
Recommended Citation
Gelatt, Mark; Martin, Julie; Marshall, Jennifer A.; Panuco, Jennifer; Schmidt, Jenea; and Finn, Pamela, "Knowledge Base of Adolescents with Congenital Heart Disease" (2017). Posters. 226.
https://scholarlyexchange.childrensmercy.org/posters/226
Included in
Cardiology Commons, Congenital, Hereditary, and Neonatal Diseases and Abnormalities Commons, Pediatrics Commons
Notes
Presented at the 7th World Congress of Pediatric Cardiology; July 2017; Barcelona, Spain.