Open AccessAdolescents with chronic disease. Transition to adult health care
Author(s) -
Rettig Patty,
Athreya Balu H.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
arthritis & rheumatism
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1529-0131
pISSN - 0004-3591
DOI - 10.1002/art.1790040407
Subject(s) - adult care , referral , medicine , psychological intervention , transitional care , scope (computer science) , disease , health care , chronic disease , chronic pain , family medicine , gerontology , psychology , young adult , nursing , physical therapy , pathology , computer science , economics , programming language , economic growth
Older adolescents are in the midst of many life changes related to physical and emotional development, education and career choices, family and peer relationships. The presence of a chronic disease adds an additional burden. At this stage of development, transfer of care to an adult facility becomes a major challenge for the adolescent, parents, and pediatric and adult care providers. This article describes an interdisciplinary transition program from pediatric to adult health care for older adolescents with rheumatic diseases. Care is transferred to an internist‐rheumatologist who collaborates closely with the pediatric team. Scope of the program includes pretransitional assessments and interventions, including education, counseling, and referral around career, postsecondary education, sexuality, and other transitional issues. Benefits of and barriers to a structured transition program are discussed. In broad terms the adult seeks care, the child receives care. The developmentally immature adult in the adult system of care is a victim since he or she is assumed to be autonomous.