Transitioning Youth to the Adult Healthcare System
Transitioning from the pediatric to adult healthcare system should be expected for all patients living with a neurologic condition. While it will vary among patients as to how that transition will look, when the transition will happen, and who the transition will involve, the central goal of starting the transition planning discussions early (<14 years) to ensure the youth attains his/her level of optimal independence should guide all transition planning processes.
Aligned with the AAP/AAFP/ACP Clinical Report on Transition, Got Transition/Center for Health Care Transition has outlined the Six Core Elements of Health Care Transition 2.0 that define the basic components of health care transition support. These components include establishing a policy, tracking progress, administering transition readiness assessments, planning for adult care, transferring, and integrating into an adult practice. There are three sets of customizable tools available for different practice settings.
The Child Neurology Foundation is currently leading a national, interdisciplinary expert panel to define the neurologist’s role in transitioning youth with neurologic conditions into the adult healthcare system. The consensus paper addresses a significant chasm in clinical practice with less than 50% of youth in the United States currently receiving transition services.
Visit our Patient/Caregiver Transition into Adulthood page for specific information and resources to share with patients and families to guide them through the transition process.