Transitioning from child and adolescent psychiatry to follow-up care: a concept mapping study
6 affiliations
- 1Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, LUMC Curium, Leiden University Medical Center, Post Box 15, Leiden, 2300 AA The Netherlands
- 2Research Group Social Psychiatry and Mental Health Nursing, Hogeschool van Arnhem Nijmegen (University of Applied Sciences), Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- 3Primary Mental Healthcare, MET ggz, Roermond, The Netherlands
- 4Clinical Psychology, Behavioral Science Institute, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- 5Research Institute Child Development and Education, University of Amsterdam, Nieuwe Achtergracht 127, Amsterdam, 1018 WS The Netherlands
- 6Department of Child- and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychosocial Care, Meibergdreef 5, AmsterdamUMC, Amsterdam, 1105 AZ The Netherlands
Abstract
Youth with severe and enduring mental health problems often require follow-up care after treatment in child and adolescent psychiatry (CAP). In this study, follow-up care is defined as services beyond CAP, including basic mental health support, primary mental health care, and practical or parenting support delivered by community-based teams. However, transitions to such care are often fragmented, poorly coordinated, and experienced as abrupt. This study explores perspectives of CAP clinicians, follow-up care providers, parents, and youth to identify factors considered both important and feasible for improving care transitions. Using Group Concept Mapping (GCM), a participatory mixed-methods approach, participants (n = 55) generated, sorted, and rated statements perceived as important and feasible in transitions from CAP to follow-up care. Data were analyzed using multidimensional scaling, hierarchical cluster analysis and Go-Zone analysis. Participants generated 56 statements, thematically grouped into nine clusters: (1) Care coordination, (2) Integrated care networks, (3) Care organization, (4) Family-centered care, (5) Follow-up care, (6) Shared decision-making, (7) Handover, (8) Accessible services, and (9) Empowerment and recovery. The findings suggest that transitioning from CAP to follow-up care is multifaceted and requires more than a timely handover between care providers. Particularly, shared decision-making, recovery orientation, and family involvement emerged as central themes across clusters. Our study indicates that improving transitions may benefit from coordinated, relational, and tailored approaches that promote continuity and empower youth and families throughout the process.
Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-026-03088-2.
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BibTeX
@article{heek2026transitioning,
title = {{Transitioning from child and adolescent psychiatry to follow-up care: a concept mapping study}},
author = {H. C. Heek and T. Beckers and R.R.J.M. Vermeiren and E. A. Mulder and L. A. Nooteboom},
journal = {European Child \& Adolescent Psychiatry},
year = {2026},
month = jun,
doi = {10.1007/s00787-026-03088-2},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-026-03088-2},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Transitioning from child and adolescent psychiatry to follow-up care: a concept mapping study
AU - H. C. Heek
AU - T. Beckers
AU - R.R.J.M. Vermeiren
AU - E. A. Mulder
AU - L. A. Nooteboom
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/06/13
JO - European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
DO - 10.1007/s00787-026-03088-2
UR - https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-026-03088-2
AB - Youth with severe and enduring mental health problems often require follow-up care after treatment in child and adolescent psychiatry (CAP). In this study, follow-up care is defined as services beyond CAP, including basic mental health support, primary mental health care, and practical or parenting support delivered by community-based teams. However, transitions to such care are often fragmented, poorly coordinated, and experienced as abrupt. This study explores perspectives of CAP clinicians, follow-up care providers, parents, and youth to identify factors considered both important and feasible for improving care transitions. Using Group Concept Mapping (GCM), a participatory mixed-methods approach, participants (n = 55) generated, sorted, and rated statements perceived as important and feasible in transitions from CAP to follow-up care. Data were analyzed using multidimensional scaling, hierarchical cluster analysis and Go-Zone analysis. Participants generated 56 statements, thematically grouped into nine clusters: (1) Care coordination, (2) Integrated care networks, (3) Care organization, (4) Family-centered care, (5) Follow-up care, (6) Shared decision-making, (7) Handover, (8) Accessible services, and (9) Empowerment and recovery. The findings suggest that transitioning from CAP to follow-up care is multifaceted and requires more than a timely handover between care providers. Particularly, shared decision-making, recovery orientation, and family involvement emerged as central themes across clusters. Our study indicates that improving transitions may benefit from coordinated, relational, and tailored approaches that promote continuity and empower youth and families throughout the process. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-026-03088-2.
SN - 1018-8827
SN - 1435-165X
ER -