Feasibility of the TransitionED Framework for Youth and Young Adults With Eating Disorders
Trial statusNot yet recruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age16+
SponsorMcMaster University
About this trial
Moving from pediatric (children's) health care to adult health care can be challenging for youth and young adults with eating disorders. Many young people and families report feeling unprepared, unsure of what to expect, and worried about losing support during this time. Gaps in care during this transition can increase stress and make recovery more difficult.
This study is testing a structured transition support program called the TransitionED framework. The goal is to see whether this program can be successfully used in real hospital settings and whether youth, caregivers, and clinicians find it helpful.
The TransitionED framework is designed to help youth and families prepare for the move to adult care. It includes:
1. A transition planning package for youth 2. A separate planning package for caregivers 3. At least two guided transition meetings with a clinician 4. A short "Personal Transition Profile" written by the youth to help new adult providers understand them better 5. Optional virtual peer support sessions for youth and for caregivers 6. Tools to help pediatric and adult providers communicate more clearly
Youth who are 16 years or older and currently receiving care in a participating pediatric eating disorder program may be invited to join, along with one caregiver. Clinicians and program leaders will also take part to help deliver and evaluate the program.
Participants will complete surveys at the beginning of the study, about two months later, and six months after finishing the program. Some participants will also take part in interviews to share their experiences.
This study is focused on feasibility. That means the main goal is to learn whether this transition program is practical, acceptable, and workable in everyday clinical care. What we learn will help improve transition support for youth and young adults with eating disorders in the future.
Eligibility criteria
This trial does not accept healthy volunteersQualifiers
Currently receiving paediatric eating disorder care at a participating study site.
Age 16 years or or older (approaching age-based transition to adult-care)
Expressed interest in transitioning to adult eating disorder care or other appropriate adult mental health services
Identified by the clinical team as appropriate to begin formal transition planning (e.g., sufficient transition readiness and interest in ongoing care)
Disqualifiers
Not receiving pediatric eating disorder care at a participating site.
Under age 16 years
Does not express interest in transitioning to adult eating disorder care or other appropriate adult mental health services.
Not identified by the clinical team as ready/appropriate to engage in formal transition planning during the study period (e.g., insufficient transition readiness or not currently at the transition-planning stage).
Trial design
Design model
Single group
Treatments tested in this trial
TransitionED Healthcare Transition Framework
BehavioralThe TransitionED Healthcare Transition Framework is a structured, guideline-informed, multi-component intervention designed to support youth and young adults with eating disorders transitioning from pediatric to adult care. Unlike standard transition practices, this framework integrates youth and caregiver transition planning packages, clinician-led structured transition meetings, a youth-authored Personal Transition Profile to support information transfer, optional peer support sessions, and a program-level communication and collaboration guide. The framework is embedded within routine clinical care and focuses on system-level coordination, readiness building, and continuity across pediatric and adult services.
Treatment groups
60 Participants
are divided into 1 treatment groupGroup A: TransitionED FrameworkExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Acceptability
Acceptability refers to the extent to which youth and young adults (YYA), caregivers, clinicians, and implementation team members perceive the TransitionED Healthcare Transition Framework as appropriate, satisfactory, and useful. Acceptability will be assessed using qualitative interviews and focus groups conducted with participants following implementation of the framework. Interviews will explore participants' experiences with the framework, perceived usefulness, ease of use, perceived burden, and overall satisfaction with the transition support process.
Time frame
Post-intervention (approximately 8 weeks after enrollment) and at 6-month follow-up.2
Implementation Fidelity of the TransitionED Healthcare Transition Framework
Implementation fidelity refers to the extent to which the TransitionED framework is delivered as intended. Fidelity will be measured as the proportion of core intervention components delivered as planned, including completion of the Transition Planning Package, completion of the Personal Transition Profile, and delivery of clinician-facilitated transition meetings. Fidelity data will be collected using structured implementation tracking logs completed by clinicians and research staff.
Time frame
From enrollment through framework completion (approximately 8 weeks post-enrollment) and throughout the implementation period at each site.3
Practicality and Integration of the TransitionED Healthcare Transition Framework
Practicality and integration refer to the extent to which the TransitionED framework can be implemented within routine clinical workflows using existing clinical resources. This outcome will be assessed through clinician surveys and qualitative interviews examining feasibility of delivering the framework, perceived fit within existing clinical workflows, time required to deliver framework components, and barriers or facilitators to implementation.
Time frame
From enrollment through framework completion (approximately 8 weeks post-enrollment) and during the active implementation period at each site.Secondary outcomes
1
Transition Readiness (TRAQ)
Transition readiness will be measured using the Transition Readiness Assessment Questionnaire (TRAQ), a validated self-report instrument assessing youths' skills and confidence in managing their health care and navigating adult-oriented services. TRAQ items are scored on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 to 5, with higher scores indicating greater transition readiness. The instrument generates both domain scores and a total score. Change in TRAQ scores over time will be examined.
Time frame
Baseline (at enrollment), approximately 8 weeks post-enrollment, and 6 months post-enrollment.2
Eating Disorder Symptoms
Eating disorder symptom severity will be measured using the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q 6.0), a validated self-report instrument widely used in eating disorder research and clinical care. The EDE-Q generates a global score and four subscale scores (restraint, eating concern, weight concern, and shape concern). Items are rated on a 7-point scale ranging from 0 to 6, with higher scores indicating greater eating disorder symptom severity. Change in EDE-Q scores over time will be examined.
Time frame
Baseline (at enrollment), approximately 8 weeks post-enrollment, and 6 months post-enrollment.3
Anxiety
Anxiety symptom severity will be measured using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7). The GAD-7 produces a total score ranging from 0 to 21, with higher scores indicating greater anxiety symptom severity. Change in GAD-7 scores over time will be examined.
Time frame
Baseline (at enrollment), approximately 8 weeks post-enrollment, and 6 months post-enrollment.4
Depression
Depressive symptom severity will be measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). The PHQ-9 produces a total score ranging from 0 to 27, with higher scores indicating greater depressive symptom burden. Change in PHQ-9 scores over time will be examined.
Time frame
Baseline (at enrollment), approximately 8 weeks post-enrollment, and 6 months post-enrollment.Sponsors and contacts
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McMaster University
Lead sponsor
University of Calgary
Collaborator
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
Collaborator
McMaster Children's Hospital
Collaborator
Source ClinicalTrials.gov
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