Initial outcomes in a sickle cell disease transition clinic

Area of Science:

• Hematology
• Pediatrics
• Adult Medicine

Background:

• Transitioning from pediatric to adult care for sickle cell disease (SCD) patients presents challenges, including increased healthcare utilization, costs, and mortality risk.
• Effective preparation is vital to mitigate these risks and ensure continuity of care.
• A multidisciplinary transition clinic was established to facilitate this process.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary transition clinic in preparing young adults with SCD for adult care.
• To assess patient engagement and identify key concerns during the transition period.

Main Methods:

• Chart review of patients (aged 20-27) attending the transition clinic between September 2021 and May 2023.
• Data collection included visit frequency, topics discussed, and patient attitudes towards transition.
• Analysis of patient concerns and feelings regarding the transition process.

Main Results:

• Eighty-two percent of patients (22 total) utilized the transition clinic.
• Most patients attended their first adult care visit within 2.4 months of their last transition visit.
• Key patient concerns included medication adherence (hydroxyurea), reproductive health, and educational support; discussions alleviated anxiety.

Conclusions:

• A collaborative transition clinic model successfully prepares young adults with SCD for adult care.
• Early introduction to adult SCD providers significantly alleviates patient concerns.
• Future research will focus on long-term patient integration into adult care settings.