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Transitioning health care responsibility from caregivers to patient: a pilot study aiming to facilitate medication

Rachel A Annunziato1, Sukru Emre, Benjamin L Shneider

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029, USA. rachel.annunziato@mssm.edu

Pediatric Transplantation
|April 26, 2008
PubMed

Insights

A pilot study shows that educating pediatric transplant patients on managing their own health is feasible. This intervention improved medication adherence and liver function in adolescents transitioning to adult care.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Transplant Care
  • Adolescent Health Transition
  • Medical Education

Background:

  • Pediatric transplant recipients undergo a critical transition involving shifts in medical care and responsibility.
  • Facilitating the transfer of health care responsibilities from caregivers to patients is essential for long-term outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the feasibility of a pilot educational intervention for pediatric transplant patients.
  • To aid in the transition of health care responsibilities from caregivers to patients within the pediatric setting.

Main Methods:

  • A two-session educational protocol was implemented in an outpatient transplant clinic.
  • Twenty-two pediatric transplant recipients were enrolled, with data analyzed for 20 patients.
  • Medical outcomes included medication adherence (tacrolimus levels) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels.

Main Results:

  • Mean ALT levels significantly improved post-intervention (p < 0.01).
  • Tacrolimus blood level variability decreased, indicating improved medication adherence (p = 0.04).
  • Maximal ALT values also showed a significant overall decrease (p = 0.03).

Conclusions:

  • Targeted education for adolescents in managing their own health is feasible in outpatient pediatric transplant settings.
  • This approach may support families during the challenging health care transition process.
  • Further randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm efficacy.

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