Transition to adult care for young people with long-term conditions

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Healthcare
• Transition Medicine
• Chronic Disease Management

Background:

• Young individuals with long-term conditions require structured healthcare transitions.
• Managing the shift from pediatric to adult care presents unique challenges.
• Effective transition protocols are crucial for continuity of care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate current transition management practices for pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) in Ireland.
• To identify variations and challenges in the child-to-adult healthcare transition process.
• To gather insights from healthcare professionals on improving transition services.

Main Methods:

• A national postal survey was distributed to 132 physicians and nurse specialists.
• An adapted questionnaire with closed and open-ended questions was utilized.
• Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS, and qualitative data underwent content analysis.

Main Results:

• Transition management protocols varied widely based on service, location, and available resources.
• Age was the most frequent criterion for initiating patient transition across services.
• Healthcare professionals reported a need for enhanced transition management and a more streamlined national approach.

Conclusions:

• Current transition practices for CF and IDDM patients in Ireland are inconsistent.
• A cohesive national strategy is essential for a streamlined transition between pediatric and adult healthcare services.
• Improvements are needed to ensure optimal care continuity for young adults with chronic conditions.