Georgina Buck
Project: Preparing and supporting young people with asthma to engage in their healthcare and independently self-manage post-transition to adult health care: a multiple methods study
PhD overview
PhD Title: Preparing and supporting young people with asthma to engage in their healthcare and independently self-manage post-transition to adult health care: a multiple methods study
Funded by: The School of Healthcare, University of Leeds, in partnership with the Asthma UK Centre for Applied Research
Supervisors: Dr Linda Milnes, Dr Alison Rodriguez, Dr Alistair Duff, Dr Alexandra Adams and Professor Graham Roberts.
Based at: University of Leeds
Email: hcgmb@leeds.ac.uk

It has been identified that young adults (18-29 years) have the worst asthma outcomes compared to other age ranges, with two thirds not receiving recommended basic care. As young adults transition to adult care, they are known to have a high risk of disengagement from regular reviews. This may be due to young people (14-16 years) not being effectively prepared for independent self-management and engagement with health care due to limited exposure to and participation in clinical appointments and the opportunity to take responsibility for self-management. Patients who are more engaged with their health and care are more likely to have improved health outcomes.
Study aims and objectives
This PhD will use mixed methods to develop a theory and evidence-based framework of support that prepares young people and young adults for successful engagement in their health and health care.
- To understand the mechanisms by which young people/adults with long-term conditions are successfully engaged and prepared to manage their own health and healthcare
- To identify how prepared young people with asthma are currently for active engagement in their health care and self-management as they transition to adult services
- To understand the barriers and facilitators to young people/adults with asthma being prepared to engage with their health and health care pre and post-transition
- To identify young people’s preferences/needs for developmentally appropriate services post-transition
About me
I have completed a BSc in Adult Nursing and a PGDip in Specialist Community Public Health Nursing, both from the University of Brighton. My research interests include supporting self-management of long-term conditions, health inequalities, health behaviour and social determinants of health. I also have an interest in social mobility and do some voluntary work in this sector.