Providing a written referral to an adult healthcare provider was identified as one significant preventive measure in a systematic review.
Fortunately, adolescents with complex chronic conditions (CCCs) are surviving to adulthood; however, they face gaps in the delivery of care upon referral to adult care that can lead to serious complications and hospitalizations. To identify and categorize factors leading to such care gaps in this population, researchers conducted a systematic literature review.
Ten eligible studies (7 retrospective) were identified and included patients aged 10 to 25 years with one of four CCCs — sickle cell disease, congenital heart disease, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis — who were transitioning to adult care. Study methodologies were highly variable, and the term “care gap” was defined differently across studies.
Predicto…
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresGrant/Research SupportNIH Institutional Clinical and Translational Science Award; Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality National Center for Pediatric Practice Based Research Learning; Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute
Editorial BoardsCurrent Problems in Pediatric Adolescent Healthcare
Leadership Positions in Professional Societies College of Physicians of Philadelphia (Board of Trustees)
DisclosuresGrant/Research SupportNIH Institutional Clinical and Translational Science Award; Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality National Center for Pediatric Practice Based Research Learning; Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute
Editorial BoardsCurrent Problems in Pediatric Adolescent Healthcare
Leadership Positions in Professional Societies College of Physicians of Philadelphia (Board of Trustees)