Research Areas of Interest

Transition Readiness

Transition readiness is a core research focus in our lab, where we explore how to better support youth with chronic illnesses as they move from pediatric to adult rheumatology care. In collaboration with patients and families, we identify youth needs, develop tools to assess readiness for transition, and design strategies to empower adolescents during this critical period. Our research aims to prevent youth from falling through care gaps by informing initiatives like the pediatric rheumatology transition clinic at McMaster Children’s Hospital. Ongoing studies examine ways to enhance the transition experience, including the roles of family involvement and transition coaches—health-care professionals who work individually with teens to prepare them for adult care. This research area ultimately supports system-level improvements that promote smoother, more equitable transitions for young people navigating complex care pathways.

Mental Health in Youth with Chronic Conditions

Our lab is committed to advancing research on the mental health needs of youth living with chronic conditions such as juvenile arthritis. This area of focus includes evaluating the mental health burden experienced by young adults and developing strategies to address it. Current projects involve implementing and studying routine mental health screening tools in pediatric rheumatology settings to better identify and respond to the needs of this population. Through this work, we aim to integrate mental health support into standard chronic illness care and advocate for system-level improvements that prioritize holistic, youth-centered approaches.