Pediatric Collections: Adolescent Health Care: Part 3: Transition of Care

Pediatric Collections offers what you need to know - original, focused research in a snapshot approach. In Part 3 of this 3-part series, we focus on the importance of transitioning young adult patients to adult care to ensure their optimal health and well-being into adulthood. Adolescent and young adulthood is a period when the individual has many evolving priorities and responsibilities, including educational achievements, employment, independent financial status, housing, and relationships. Research has shown that making the transition to an adult care provider does not commonly occur for young adults; even less so for those with complex or chronic medical conditions. The transition is fraught with several barriers and challenges that are described in detail in this set of featured publications. The articles in this section bring to light the unique needs of these adolescents and how to better help them and their families navigate this time of transition.