Pathways Patients Experience Making the Switch to Primary Care
My participants explained a few ways that made switching to adult primary care easier were their independence, the expectations put on them during the process of switching, and reflecting on their past experiences in adult primary care.
INDEPENDENCE
My participants described the independence they needed throughout the process of switching to adult primary care to keep records of medical histories or to find health information.
Cody
Cody explained using a basket to hold medical bills or "physical copies of prescription papers" to have "something kind of comprehensive about my health for when I move to a different city for my PhD program."
TRUST
My participants felt that trusting their primary care doctor was important during the switch to this type of care.
Ashley
Ashley used a street light to describe her doctor by gravitating toward the light "because it'll show you where you need to go." She said she relies on her doctor to guide her through the process.
SELF-REFLECTION
One participant reflected on his past experiences in primary care to improve his future visits to other primary care doctors.