title: Social workers as transition brokers: facilitating the transition from pediatric to adult medical care.
abstract: Transition from pediatric to adult medical care and the significant psychosocial considerations impacting this developmental process are a primary focus in health care today. Social workers are often the informal brokers of this complex and nuanced process and are uniquely trained to complete biopsychosocial assessments to understand the needs of patients and families and address psychosocial factors. Their extensive knowledge of resources and systems, along with their sophisticated understanding of the relationship issues, family dynamics, cultural implications, and basic person-in-context approach allow for unique collaboration with the health care team, family, and community supports to develop successful transition plans and programs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Work, Children's Hospital Boston, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. susan.shanske@childrens.harvard.edu
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shanske
authors.forename: Janis
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Arnold
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rein
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000628:therapy; D019985:Benchmarking; D017028:Caregivers / Q000592:standards; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000628:therapy; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000628:therapy; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000628:therapy; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010347:Patient Care Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000379:methods*; D011361:Professional Competence; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D012947:Social Work / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods; D012948:Social Work Department, Hospital; D060305:Transition to Adult Care / Q000592:standards*; D000078329:Workforce