Youth Transitions initiative
Read this short article in the BC Medical Journal summarizing the benefits of this Youth Transitions initiative
The Shared Care Youth Transitions initiative aims to improve the transition from pediatric to adult care for youth and young adults (age 10 to 24) with chronic health conditions and/or disabilities. Youth can access pediatric care services until their eighteenth birthday, when they must transfer, with little preparation, to adult care services provided by regional health authorities. Approximately 1700 patients per year make this transition.
Solutions for smooth transitions - what we're doing
Family physicians, pediatric sub-specialists, adult sub-specialists, patients and their families, and allied health professionals are developing, piloting, and evaluating processes for improvement such as:
- Standardized medical transfer summaries
- Referral rosters
- Development of a resource network for patients and providers
- Support for reviewing charts
- Longer appointment times
- Educational support for physicians
The Shared Care Youth Transitions initiative is one component of a broader project (ON TRAC) developed at BC Children’s Hospital to improve continuity of care for this vulnerable patient group.
Physician and Patient Perspectives
Watch the videos below to learn more about the challenges of adapting to a new culture of care in adult medicine from both the physican and patient perspective.
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FAMILY PHYSICIAN "Once youth turn 16 or 18 they lose that clinic experience and have to find each of the modalities on their own." |
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SPECIALIST 'Teaching templates' help youth learn to navigate the system on their own. |
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SPECIALIST "We need to involve youth more in their own transition process" |
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PATIENT "I'd never been the one to sign before. I wished in that moment I could be that kid again" |
Contact
Margaret English, Initiative Lead
Email: shared_care@doctorsofbc.ca
