A Transition Pilot Program for Adolescents With Sickle Cell Disease

Abstract

Introduction: Transition from pediatric to adult care is challenging for adolescents with chronic illnesses, including those with sickle cell disease (SCD). We describe a pilot program created to facilitate transition from pediatric to adult care by helping adolescents with SCD identify an adult medical home. Methods: We investigated the feasibility of this program by evaluation of overall participation, satisfaction, and acceptance. A secondary objective was to compare the proportion of adolescents who fulfilled a first appointment with an adult hematologist among participants and nonparticipants. Results: During the first 18 months of the program, 83 adolescents were invited and 34 (41%) agreed to participate; 25 (74%) completed their first visit within 3 months after leaving the pediatric program, compared with 16 of 49 (33%) of nonparticipants (p = .0002). Overall, 41 of 83 adolescents (49%) completed an appointment with an adult SCD program, regardless of program participation, in contrast with 11 of 75 adolescents (15%) who did so during the 18 months before the program was created (p < .0001). Discussion: This transition pilot program was feasible, and most adolescent participants with SCD established an adult medical home. © 2012 National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners.

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Journal of Pediatric Health Care

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