The transition of adolescents with chronic respiratory illness to adult care.
Medical transition aims to safely steer children with chronic illness through adolescence and into adulthood, whilst maintaining optimal management of their underlying medical condition. It is an evolving process with ongoing research and development. Though it has not been proven to prolong life, evidence points to an improved quality of life via greater understanding and management of lifelong illness. The presumption is this will ultimately prevent or delay untimely loss of life and/or complications in those who have been stable throughout childhood. In this article we review the problems associated with adolescence, the current drive towards successful transition and the role of the adult physician in achieving this.
Department of Respiratory Medicine, 5th floor, East Wing, Charing Cross Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Fulham Palace Road, London W6 8RF. shelley.srivastava@imperial.nhs.uk
Shelley A
SA
Srivastava
Sarah L
SL
Elkin
Diana
D
Bilton
D000293:Adolescent; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D060305:Transition to Adult Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D055815:Young Adult