Methods for measuring the time of transfer from pediatric to adult care for chronic conditions using administrative data: A scoping review

Abstract

Purpose: To describe methods used to identify the timing of transfer from pediatric to adult care within health administrative data and to identify the advantages and limitations of each method to guide future research. Study Design and Settings: We conducted a scoping review to identify studies, summarized challenges of identifying the timing of transfer, and proposed methodological approaches for each. Results: Studies use the following approaches to capture individuals who transfer from pediatric to adult care by 1) defining the timing of transfer by the last pediatric and first adult care visit last and 2) defining transfer to adult care based on a specific age. Conclusion: There are important limitations of administrative data that must be recognized in designing studies examining the transfer to adult care.