1. Background

We estimate that at least 10% of adolescents live with a chronic somatic illness requiring medical treatment. Adolescence is characterized by growth, brain development, identity forming and growing independence. Many adolescents struggle with living with a chronic illness and insufficient treatment adherence to long-term medical treatment is well-known among this age group. This may lead to medical complications and long-term consequenses. Adolescents report specific barriers related to development as well as adherence barriers known from adults including conflicts with parents. The daily responsibility for treatment should shift from the parents to the adolescent during this phase of life. At the same time, adolescents with supportive and attentive parents have higher adherence and better control of their illness.

2. Problem

How can we support adolescents’ identity and growing independence and at the same time support, maintain, or even increase adherence to medical treatment?

3. Learning goals and client expectations

1. To understand and analyse of the problem based on current literature and potentially interviewing young people living with chronic illness.
2. Process-oriented work leading to a feasible and youth friendly solution ready for pilot testing in a clinical setting
3. Presentation of the end product and the process leading to this.