Transition for Youth With Chronic Conditions: Primary Care Physicians’ Approaches

Article Figures & Data

TABLE 1.

Role Perceptions: Respondent’s Perceived Importance of and Personal Effectiveness at Facilitating Accomplishment of These Transition Issues

Adolescents Should Be Able to:	Importance	Effectiveness	Difference
Describe their current condition and treatments	2.78	2.38	.40
Describe the long-term complications of their condition	2.56	2.33	.22
Describe a plan for maintaining and utilizing health insurance benefits	2.11	1.67	.44
Monitor treatments and health parameters	2.78	2.22	.56
Discuss symptoms and treatment plans with their health care provider	2.78	2.56	.22
Describe the role of the primary care providers and subspecialists	2.20	2.00	.20
Describe signs and symptoms that require urgent medical attention	3.00	2.60	.40
Identify emergency health services	2.67	2.56	.11
Understand the impact of their condition and treatments on their sexuality and reproductive health options	2.70	1.90	.80
Be aware of and involved in condition-specific organizations for support and information	2.33	2.22	.11
Be aware of the impact of drug and alcohol use	2.78	2.56	.22
Understand the impact of healthy behaviors (exercise, appropriate nutrition, and rest)	3.00	2.44	.56
Have a substantial connection to caring adults	2.67	2.33	.33
Have a family that supports the transition process	2.80	2.40	.40

TABLE 2.

Rank Order of Potential Barriers to Achieving Successful Health Care Transitions

Potential Barriers
1. Difficulty identifying adult primary care providers
2. Adolescent’s resistance to transition to an adult provider
3. Family resistance to transition to an adult provider
4. Lack of institutional support (time for planning, resources, personnel)
5. Lack of time to address important transition issues
6. Lack of reimbursement for time spent
7. Difficulty communicating with adult providers
8. Difficulty identifying adult subspecialists