[Transfer of the care for adolescents with chronic illnesses: from pediatrics to specialists for adults].
Over the past few decades, paediatrics has increasingly been characterised by many developments in medical technology. This has led to a dramatic change in the clinical outcome of many severe and chronic childhood diseases. The number of children dying due to a severe illness has decreased, and at the same time the number of children surviving with a chronic disease or handicap has increased. This development requires that paediatricians and physicians in adult care adopt new initiatives so as to ensure an efficient and caring transfer of adolescents from paediatric to adult care. The purpose of this transition is (a) preparing the patient for the transfer to adult medicine by gaining an understanding of the clinical picture and the treatment goal and possibilities, and obtaining a personal responsibility for medication and diet and (b) tuning paediatric care and adult care to one another. Procedures for the transition should be established in a protocol. The responsibility for monitoring the process lies in principle with the treating paediatrician.
Donckerwolcke
R A M G
RA
Academisch Ziekenhuis, afd. Kindergeneeskunde, Postbus 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht.
van Zeben-van der Aa
D M C B
DM
D000293:Adolescent; D000295:Adolescent Medicine; D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000628:therapy*; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D006801:Humans; D009426:Netherlands; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010372:Pediatrics