title: Discontinuity in the transition from pediatric to adult health care for patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic disorder, treatment declines dramatically in adolescence and into early adulthood. This premature termination of care is likely compounded by the difficulty many patients have switching from a pediatric to an adult provider.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To review, from the adult primary care provider perspective, the barriers to continuity of care and their implications for patients with ADHD who transition from pediatric to adult health care.
  
  
  METHODS
  Literature review.
  
  
  METHODS
  Relevant articles were identified by searches of the PubMed and EMBASE databases and by reviewing the reference lists of articles obtained from these searches.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Health care transition for adolescents and young adults with ADHD remains a crucial area of research. The current literature reveals a number of barriers to the continuity of care, including disparities and inadequacies in ADHD education in primary care and internal medicine residencies, prohibitive prescribing practices with respect to stimulants, inadequate clinic staffing, lack of support in the college health care system, inadequate health insurance coverage, and failure to conduct transitional planning. Without improved continuity of care and adherence to medication, adolescents and young adults with ADHD are at greater risk of academic, social, and vocational difficulties, as well as behavioral problems, including substance abuse, unsafe driving, and criminal activity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  If we are to adequately address the health care needs of adolescents and young adults with ADHD, we need to educate primary care providers and support additional research.
authors.affiliation: Connecticut Clinical Research Center, Cromwell, CT 06416, USA. docmontano@aol.com
authors.forename: C Brendan
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Montano
authors.forename: Joel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Young
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D060305:Transition to Adult Care / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult