As young patients age and move from pediatric to adult care, their healthcare can get lost in translation especially for those with chronic medical, developmental or mental health conditions, according to the American College of Physicians.
To help ensure an easier transition, the physicians' organization has developed tools for doctors to improve care coordination and keep these young adults from slipping through the cracks.
The Pediatric to Adult Care Transitions Initiative aims to help better prepare adult practices to provide the care necessary for young adults with special needs, said Gregg Talente, M.D., from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine in Columbia, who represented the Society of General Internal Medicine, one of the collaborators on the initiative, according to Medscape Medical News.
The initiative makes available free online specialty-specific tools and checklists, which were developed by the ACP Council of Subspecialty Societies in collaboration with a number of specialty and subspecialty organizations. About one-quarter of young adults in the 18 to 21 year age range, have at least one chronic medical condition, according to the article. Many are ill-prepared for the transition to adult care and poor adherence or discontinuation of care can lead to increased use of emergency department, hospital, and lab resources.
To learn more:
- see the ACP announcement
- check out the ACP initiative
- read the article