Association of Primary Care Continuity With Outcomes Following Transition to Adult Care for Adolescents With Severe Mental Illness

Key Points Question Is primary care continuity during the transition from pediatric to adult care services associated with better outcomes in young adulthood for adolescents with severe mental illness? Findings In this population-based cohort study of 8409 adolescents aged 12 to 16 years with severe mental illness, there was a 30% increase in risk of mental health–related hospital admission in young adulthood (age 19-26 years) for those with no primary care physician and a 20% increase for those with discontinuous primary care during transition to adult care compared with continuous care. Meaning For adolescents with severe mental illness, continuity with a primary care physician during transition to adult care was associated with decreased mental health–related hospitalizations and emergency department visits.