title: Transition from pediatric to adult healthcare: assessment of specific needs of patients with chronic endocrine conditions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Transition from pediatric to adult care is a challenging turning point. The aim was to evaluate the transition process and needs expressed by patients with chronic endocrine conditions at transition in order to ensure program optimization.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective assessment of the transition period was conducted through completion of standardized questionnaires given to targeted patients. Two types were created: (1) a general questionnaire (GQ) addressing universal aspects of transition, and (2) a specific questionnaire (SQ) exploring concerns related to each endocrine condition. Three endocrinopathies (congenital adrenal hyperplasia, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and growth hormone deficiency) were selected for assessment since they present specific challenges requiring characterization.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Over the last decade, 244 patients in transition were registered in our department and 153 were included since they presented one of the endocrinopathies selected. A total of 73 subjects completed both the GQ and the SQ. Over 80% of the patients were satisfied with the transition process in terms of organization, accessibility and medical care. The actual age of transition corresponded for most to the age considered by patients as ideal for transition. SQs identified psychosexual issues that must be addressed more systematically.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study identified key elements allowing the creation of an improved transition program tailored for our center and for each endocrine condition studied.
authors.affiliation: Endocrinology Division, Department of Medicine, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CR-CHUM), Montreal, Que., Canada.
authors.forename: Ariane
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Godbout
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Tejedor
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Malivoir
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Polak
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Touraine
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004700:Endocrine System Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D004704:Endocrinology / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D060305:Transition to Adult Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult