In Wisconsin, only 21 percent of adolescents with special health care needs and 18 percent of adolescents without special health care needs receive services necessary to make transitions to adult health care.1, 2 To address this gap, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) and American College of Physicians (ACP) have released the 2018 clinical report on health care transition.
This updated report, “Supporting the Health Care Transition from Adolescence to Adulthood in the Medical Home,” provides new practice-based quality improvement guidance on key elements of transition: planning, transfer and integration into adult care. In addition, the report summarized the status of transition preparation among US youth, common transition barriers and preferences experienced by youth and families as well as pediatric and adult clinicians, outcome evidence, and recommendations for infrastructure, education, training and payment.
The transition is especially important for adolescents with special health care needs. As noted in the report, research has shown that without a structured transition process, youth and young adults are more likely to have problems with medical complications, limitations in health and wellbeing, difficulties with treatment and medication adherence, discontinuity of care, preventable emergency department and hospital use, and higher costs of care.
The Wisconsin Youth Health Transition Initiative (YHTI) provides youth, family members, providers and other community collaborators with information on the movement from the pediatric world to adult health care. Tools, materials and resources are available to help teens, families and health care systems in the health care transition process. To participate in a discussion of the clinical report, register for the next Transition Learning Community webinar on Nov. 27, 2018 (12-1pm).
In addition, YHTI offers support for the implementation of health care transition quality improvement processes that support youth health transition at the practice level. The 2019 Advancing Family-Centered Care Coordination for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs using a Shared Plan of Care grant project opportunity offers a focus of implementing strategies to support youth health transition. Grant applications are due by Nov. 16, 2018.
1 Child and Adolescent Health Measurement Initiative, Data Resource Center for Child and Adolescent Health website (ages 12 through 17). 2016 National Survey of Children’s Health Data query. Retrieved on Nov. 7, 2018 from http://childhealthdata.org/browse/survey/results?q=4557&r=51
2 Child and Adolescent Health Measurement Initiative, Data Resource Center for Child and Adolescent Health website (ages 12 through 17). 2016 National Survey of Children’s Health Data query. Retrieved on Nov. 7, 2018 from http://childhealthdata.org/browse/survey/results?q=4851&r=51