Transition of care to an adult provider

The transition from adolescence to young adulthood can be a difficult and overwhelming time. Many adult care providers are unaware of the issues facing adolescents and young adults. Often the focus is on older patients and their problems. Internists, family practitioners and obstetricians and Gynecologists (OBGYNs) typically care for these patients. Often, young adults view their obstetrician and gynecologist as their primary care physician, so reviewing the issues facing this age group is important.

Lifestyle habits begun in childhood frequently continue throughout life. Adolescence and young adulthood are times when change in these habits may be easier to enforce. Reviewing nutrition, exercise, risky behaviors, preventive health objectives, sexuality and mental health are of utmost importance in the transition of care from a pediatric to an adult provider.

The transition from adolescence to young adulthood can be difficult for patients. Knowledge of these issues is crucial to the adult provider caring for these patients. Although visits frequently are short in duration, using screening tools and checklists filled out by the patient prior to the visit may be beneficial.