title: Transition of urologic patients from pediatric to adult care: a preliminary assessment of readiness in spina bifida patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the awareness and readiness of both spina bifida patients and parents regarding the transition process before transitioning, with a secondary aim that included identifying potential factors associated with successful transition.
  
  
  METHODS
  All children aged ≥14 years requiring long-term care were prospectively enrolled. Questions designed by pediatric and adult urologists and an adolescent health specialist addressing the awareness of long-term follow-up and the desire to learn more about transitioning were administered by nursing staff at regularly scheduled clinic appointments. All spina bifida patients evaluated in the past 5 years were identified, and clinical factors associated with transitioning were compared. Statistical analysis using the Fisher exact test and the chi-square test were used to compare patients' and parents' responses and categorical variables between patients transitioned and those eligible. P <.05 was considered significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 33 surveys were prospectively collected. Twenty-two percent of parents and 40% of patients said they never wanted to transition (P = .28). Parents had thought about transitioning more than the patients (88.9% and 40%, respectively; P = .002). Of the 97 patients eligible for transition, 34% had a transition plan. The only significant predictor of transitioning to adult care was a previous history of stones (P = .03).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Transitioning to adult urologic care is a necessity for many, and parents are significantly more aware of transitioning than the patient. Acknowledging and understanding the concerns of patients and families will help optimize the transition to adult urologic care.
authors: Division of Pediatric Urology, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, Nashville, TN.
authors: Heidi A
authors: HA
authors: Stephany
authors: Division of Pediatric Urology, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, Nashville, TN.
authors: Christina B
authors: CB
authors: Ching
authors: Department of Urology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN.
authors: Melissa R
authors: MR
authors: Kaufman
authors: Department of Urology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN.
authors: Amanda
authors: A
authors: Squiers
authors: Division of Pediatric Urology, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, Nashville, TN.
authors: Lisa
authors: L
authors: Trusler
authors: Division of Pediatric Urology, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, Nashville, TN.
authors: Douglass B
authors: DB
authors: Clayton
authors: Division of Pediatric Urology, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, Nashville, TN.
authors: John C
authors: JC
authors: Thomas
authors: Division of Pediatric Urology, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, Nashville, TN.
authors: John C
authors: JC
authors: Pope
authors: Division of Pediatric Urology, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, Nashville, TN.
authors: Mark C
authors: MC
authors: Adams
authors: Division of Pediatric Urology, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, Nashville, TN.
authors: John W
authors: JW
authors: Brock
authors: Division of Pediatric Urology, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, Nashville, TN. Electronic address: stacy.tanaka@vanderbilt.edu.
authors: Stacy T
authors: ST
authors: Tanaka
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011446:Prospective Studies; D060728:Reproductive Health; D016135:Spinal Dysraphism / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D060305:Transition to Adult Care; D014572:Urology; D055815:Young Adult