title: Transition to adult medical care for adolescents with epilepsy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  During transition to adult medical care, the adolescent with epilepsy is especially prone to emotional, mental, physical, and social developmental difficulties, leading to stigma and poor psychosocial and socioeconomic outcome in the long term.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this review is twofold: to describe the psychosocial and medical transition from adolescence to adulthood and to evaluate the most effective model for transitional services in adolescents with epilepsy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We searched PubMed for quantitative and qualitative data about transition from adolescence to adulthood in patients with epilepsy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 49 articles were retrieved. We reviewed personal, psychosocial, and medical issues during transition and their long-term individual and societal consequences. Identifying risk factors for poor transition can lead to appropriate interventions for patients and their family. Although the concept of multidisciplinary transition care for adolescents with epilepsy is widely recognized, only a few transition clinics have been established. There is lack of evidence for their quality and cost-effectiveness.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In addition to medical problems, more attention should be paid to the risk of psychosocial problems during transition from pediatric to adult care. The implementation of transition care for adolescents with epilepsy is considered beneficial; however, its effectiveness should be further investigated.
authors: Epilepsy Center Kempenhaeghe, P.O. Box 61, NL-5590 AB Heeze, The Netherlands. Electronic address: GeerlingsR@Kempenhaeghe.nl.
authors: R P J
authors: RP
authors: Geerlings
authors: Epilepsy Center Kempenhaeghe, P.O. Box 61, NL-5590 AB Heeze, The Netherlands; Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, NL-5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands; Department of Neurology, Maastricht University Medical Center, P.O. Box 616, NL-6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands; Department of Neurology, Ghent University Hospital, 1K12-IA De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Gent, Belgium. Electronic address: AldenkampB@Kempenhaeghe.nl.
authors: A P
authors: AP
authors: Aldenkamp
authors: Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, NL-5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands. Electronic address: P.H.N.de.With@tue.nl.
authors: P H N
authors: PH
authors: de With
authors: Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, NL-5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands. Electronic address: ZingerS@Kempenhaeghe.nl.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Zinger
authors: Epilepsy Center Kempenhaeghe, P.O. Box 61, NL-5590 AB Heeze, The Netherlands. Electronic address: GottmerL@Kempenhaeghe.nl.
authors: L M C
authors: LM
authors: Gottmer-Welschen
authors: Epilepsy Center Kempenhaeghe, P.O. Box 61, NL-5590 AB Heeze, The Netherlands. Electronic address: LouwA@Kempenhaeghe.nl.
authors: A J A
authors: AJ
authors: de Louw
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010372:Pediatrics; D060305:Transition to Adult Care
keywords: Epilepsy; Psychosocial outcome; Transition care; Transition period; Transition to adult care