RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 ‘Everybody's business’: transition and the role of adult physicians
JF Clinical Medicine
JO Clin Med
FD Royal College of Physicians
SP 561
OP 567
DO 10.7861/clinmedicine.12-6-561
VO 12
IS 6
A1 Helena Gleeson
A1 Sara McCartney
A1 Victoria Lidstone
YR 2012
UL http://www.rcpjournals.org/content/12/6/561.abstract
AB The outcome of transition from paediatric to adult care is often judged by what happens after transfer. Young people at the point of transfer are reported to have low levels of knowledge and independence. These observations could be interpreted in one of two ways: either that the transition process before transfer is inadequate or that the transition process needs to continue into young adulthood and therefore adult care. The second interpretation is further supported by brain development continuing into the third decade. There is also growing evidence for the effectiveness of young adult clinics in the process of transition. To optimise transition, adult physicians need not only to work with paediatricians to achieve continuity during transfer, but also to look critically at their service as to how it can be changed to meet the needs of young people. In addition, they need to develop knowledge, skills and attitudes to communicate effectively and address a young person's developmental and health needs.