Transition to Adult Health Care
What is Transition?
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Transition is a process RCH patients go through which leads to the event of a transfer to an adult health care service.
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Transition is a co-ordinated process involving all departments in the patients care and treatment.
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It is gradual process, beginning in early adolescence and is completed around 18 - 19 years of age.
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Transition can be a major milestone in the life of the patient and their family. As with other transitions in life, such as from high school, it should be coordinated and planned well in advance, in close consultation with the young person. This will serve to minimize unnecessary upheaval for the young person and ensure their participation and engagement with adult health care providers.
Why do we need to transfer patients to adult health services?
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In recent years, there has been an increasing number of adolescents with chronic illness surviving well into adulthood worldwide due to advances in medical care and improvements in technology.
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The continuity of care must be provided to prevent young people dropping out of the adult health care system.
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Paediatric hospitals are not physically set up to look after adults. Equipment and care is designed for smaller, younger people.
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Paediatric facilities and expertise might not be adequately prepared to look after the psychosocial needs of a young person/ adult on the ward.
Transition information is available on this site for: