title: Development of a protocol for transitioning adolescents with HIV infection to adult care.
abstract: As HIV infection in childhood and adolescence has evolved from a terminal to a chronic illness, new challenges are posed for both medical and psychosocial teams serving these clients. Although specialized programs for transition to adult care have been reported for persons with cystic fibrosis, diabetes mellitus, sickle cell disease, and other chronic illnesses, there are few published reports of integral programs designed to transition adolescents who were infected with HIV during the adolescent period to adult HIV services. This article describes a model of transition from a University-based, federally funded adolescent HIV program to adult HIV services, addresses barriers to transition, and provides strategies and recommendations for improving adherence to the transition process.
authors.affiliation: University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Adolescent Medicine, Miami, FL33101, USA. Dmaturo@med.miami.edu
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Maturo
authors.forename: Alexis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Powell
authors.forename: Hanna
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Major-Wilson
authors.forename: Kenia
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sanchez
authors.forename: Joseph P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: De Santis
authors.forename: Lawrence B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Friedman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002908:Chronic Disease; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance; D016730:Program Development; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult