Key Point

• Transition care trainings vary considerably, as do care interventions to prepare pediatric patients and their families for transitioning children with special healthcare needs (CSHCN) to adult care.

Introduction

This chapter addresses Contextual Questions 4 and 5 on providing examples of transition care training, implementation strategies, and care interventions to prepare pediatric patients and their families for transitioning CSHCN to adult care. To assess available transition care training, implementation strategies and care interventions, we used the Key Question 1 eligible literature set. Table 10.1 provides an overview of the types of interventions that were identified in Key Question 1. The full list of interventions can be found in Appendix D and Appendix E.

Included Literature Set Results

Transition care trainings vary considerably, as do care interventions to prepare pediatric patients and their families for transitioning CSHCN to adult care. A limited number of programs were well-defined and structured (e.g., Let’s Empower and Prepare, or LEAP).^{75, 201} A number of studies also developed targeted clinics in various modes such as multidisciplinary transition clinics, young adult clinics, and half-day transfer clinic.^{80, 151, 153} Program designs often incorporated the use of transition navigators and transition coordinators.^{123, 142} Educational interventions in the form of transition workbooks, educational sessions, and workshops to prepare pediatric patients were also common.^{29, 55, 158} Recently published studies have examined interventions that incorporate technology to promote patient autonomy (such as appointment management systems and online self-management programs).^{79, 166} Rarely did studies examine implementation strategies.

Table 10.1

Available training, implementation strategies, and care interventions.