Transition from pediatric to adult-oriented health care: a challenge for patients with chronic disease.

Full Abstract

Pediatric providers can expect that 1 of every 10 patients they see will have a chronic, activity-limiting health condition. Thanks to earlier diagnosis and improved therapies, most of these children will live well into adulthood. This means that eventually they will require care that focuses on adult health issues. Providers in the United States and around the world are recognizing the need for coordinated processes to transition adolescents and young adults with chronic conditions to adult health care. These models rely on the participation and input of the adolescent, his or her family, and pediatric and adult health professionals. This paper distinguishes medical transition from medical transfer; discusses potential barriers to transition; examines new initiatives to develop and study transition models; and reviews federal legislation influencing health care transitions.

Author information

Author/s: Callahan, S T (ST); Winitzer, R F (RF); Keenan, P (P);

Affiliation: Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. callahant(-atsign-)tch.harvard.edu

Grants: 6T71MC00009-09S1R0 (Agency:PHS HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.; Review

Journal: Current opinion in pediatrics (Curr Opin Pediatr), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2001-Aug; vol 13 (issue 4) : pp 310-6

Dates: Created 2001/11/21; Completed 2001/12/21; Revised 2007/11/14;

PMID: 11717554, status: MEDLINE (last retrieved date: 2/18/2009)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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