Medical systems, patient-provider relationships, and transition of care

Abstract

Healthcare transition refers to the transition of care for youth with chronic disease from pediatric-oriented healthcare services to adult-oriented services. The primary goal of transition is to ensure that the move to adult healthcare services occurs seamlessly, resulting in continuity of care in a comprehensive, developmentally appropriate manner. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes are chronic illnesses significantly impacted by transition from pediatric to adult care. Successful transition requires a focused and purposeful process to optimize lifelong outcomes. This chapter aims to review aspects of transition of youth with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes to adult healthcare services. This includes models of transition care; patient, provider, and program characteristics; and the assessment of a patient’s transition readiness. In addition, we will address gaps in our understanding of this process and future needs to best support the population of adolescents and emerging adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.