Transitioning Adolescents and Young Adults with a Chronic Health Condition to Adult HealthCare – An Exemplar Program

Abstract

Pediatric specialists have successfully improved the longevity and quality of life of many children with chronic health conditions. As these children reach adolescence and young adulthood, the scope of their concomitant medical problems often include those typically seen in older patients. As a result, these individuals need continuing quality health care in focused adult healthcare facilities. This article describes the effective partnership between pediatric and adult healthcare providers to create and implement an exemplar Spina Bifida Transition Program. The processes, strategies and tools discussed are likely to be useful to other healthcare professionals interested in developing pediatric to adult transition programs for adolescents and young adults with chronic health conditions.

The Nature of Patient- and Family-Centred Care for Young Adults Living with Chronic Disease and their Family Members: A Systematic Review

“…Strong relationships with practitioners were central to the experience of PFCC, and were both “care capital” that facilitated and enhanced treatment and a reflection of the perceived quality of the care received [2258]. Communication was enhanced when patients felt comfortable with and trusted their practitioners [22353943546267].…”

“…Communication was enhanced when patients felt comfortable with and trusted their practitioners [22353943546267]. The development of trust required time, and was hampered by lack of continuity of practitioners [35445867]. …”

“…Participants felt it important that practitioners treat them the same as they would any other person, fostering a sense of normality [215862]. Stereotypes held by practitioners based on the patient’s age or disease left patients feeling like their practitioners did not care about them, disrupting the therapeutic relationship [21445868].…”

“…Stereotypes held by practitioners based on the patient’s age or disease left patients feeling like their practitioners did not care about them, disrupting the therapeutic relationship [21445868]. …”

Improving the Transition to Adult Care for Young People with Chronic Kidney Disease

“…Developing a complete transition program is complex and challenging [87,88]. Examples of comprehensive programs include The Netherlands' national program for transitional care for young people with chronic conditions, ''On Your Own Feet Ahead'' [89,90], and the University of California San Francisco's cystic fibrosis transition program [91].…”