title: Transition of Care in Adolescents With Cerebral Palsy: A Survey of Current Practices.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Transition of care from pediatric to adult health care providers for youth with special needs (including cerebral palsy [CP]) is of current interest because these individuals are now living well into adulthood. Studies have attempted to identify barriers to transition, ideal timing for transition of care, and key elements for successful transition programs. These studies often encompass a wide range of diagnoses, and results cannot be fully applied to those with CP.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To identify and describe current transition-of-care (TOC) practices and beliefs among physician providers of adolescents with CP in multidisciplinary CP clinics.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Multidisciplinary CP clinics in the United States.
  
  
  METHODS
  Physician leaders in the aforementioned CP clinics.
  
  
  METHODS
  Respondents completed an electronic survey. Responses were deidentified and reported in aggregate by the use of descriptive statistics.
  
  
  METHODS
  Electronic survey addressing 3 domains: demographics of clinics, current opinions/practices related to TOC processes, and perceived barriers to successful TOC.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifteen surveys were sent with 11 returned (response rate = 73%). TOC practices varied among clinics surveyed. Fifty-five percent of clinics had a structured transition program, but only one transitioned 100% of their patients to adult providers by 22 years of age. Only one clinic had an absolute upper age limit for seeing patients, and 36% of clinics accepted new patients older than 21 years. No respondent was "completely satisfied" with their transition process, and only one respondent was "moderately satisfied." The majority of respondents felt the ideal care setting for adults with CP was a comprehensive, multidisciplinary adult-focused clinic in an adult hospital/clinic with primarily adult providers. They noted the top 3 perceived barriers to successful TOC were limited adult providers willing to accept CP patients, concern about the level of care in the adult health care system, and lack of financial resources.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Current TOC practices vary considerably among multidisciplinary pediatric CP clinics and are not satisfactory to individual physician providers within these clinics. Respondents desired a multidisciplinary clinic in an adult care setting with adult providers; however, the top 3 perceived barriers involved the adult health care system, making it difficult for pediatric providers to develop effective TOC programs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Not applicable.
authors: Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology & Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH; Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, MLC 4009, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3039(∗). Electronic address: ashlee.bolger@cchmc.org.
authors: Ashlee
authors: A
authors: Bolger
authors: Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology & Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH(†).
authors: Jilda
authors: J
authors: Vargus-Adams
authors: Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology & Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH(‡).
authors: Mary
authors: M
authors: McMahon
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010360:Patient Transfer; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D060305:Transition to Adult Care; D014481:United States