Abstract

INTRODUCTION
Transition from pediatric to adult care is challenging for adolescents with chronic illnesses, including those with sickle cell disease (SCD). We describe a pilot program created to facilitate transition from pediatric to adult care by helping adolescents with SCD identify an adult medical home.
METHODS
We investigated the feasibility of this program by evaluation of overall participation, satisfaction, and acceptance. A secondary objective was to compare the proportion of adolescents who fulfilled a first appointment with an adult hematologist among participants and nonparticipants.
RESULTS
During the first 18 months of the program, 83 adolescents were invited and 34 (41%) agreed to participate; 25 (74%) completed their first visit within 3 months after leaving the pediatric program, compared with 16 of 49 (33%) of nonparticipants (p = .0002). Overall, 41 of 83 adolescents (49%) completed an appointment with an adult SCD program, regardless of program participation, in contrast with 11 of 75 adolescents (15%) who did so during the 18 months before the program was created (p < .0001).
DISCUSSION
This transition pilot program was feasible, and most adolescent participants with SCD established an adult medical home.

Links

Publisher Full Text

Authors

Hankins JS, Osarogiagbon R, Adams-Graves P, McHugh L, Steele V, Smeltzer MP, Anderson SM

Institution

Department of Hematology, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA. jane.hankins@stjude.org

Source

Journal of pediatric health care : official publication of National Association of Pediatric Nurse Associates & Practitioners 26:6 pg e45-9

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22819193