Transitional care for rheumatic conditions in Europe: current clinical practice and available resources

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Rheumatology
• Healthcare Transition
• Clinical Practice Assessment

Background:

• Effective transition from pediatric to adult healthcare is crucial for young individuals with chronic conditions.
• Pediatric rheumatology care requires specific considerations for long-term management and patient autonomy.
• Existing transition protocols in Europe are not standardized, leading to potential gaps in care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the current clinical practices and available resources for transitioning pediatric rheumatology patients to adult care across Europe.
• To identify the needs and challenges faced by European pediatric rheumatology providers in managing patient transition.
• To inform the development of standardized transition guidelines based on current practices.

Main Methods:

• An anonymized electronic survey was distributed to European pediatric rheumatologists.
• The survey comprised 17 items assessing transition practices, policy awareness, and resource availability.
• Data were collected from 115 centers across 22 European Union countries, with a 44% response rate.

Main Results:

• A significant majority (99%) of respondents agreed on the necessity of a formalized transition process.
• Only 26% of centers reported offering dedicated transition services, and fewer than 30% had a written transition policy.
• While 64% had a designated staff member to coordinate transition, only 36% utilized checklists for individualized care.

Conclusions:

• There is a consensus among European pediatric rheumatology providers on the importance of transitional care.
• Significant variability exists in the provision and structure of transition services across European centers.
• The findings highlight a need for improved and standardized transition protocols to ensure comprehensive care for young adults with rheumatological conditions.