Adolescents in transition of adult care: why the concern?

Abstract

This article has described issues associated with transition planning for youth with CHD. A number of approaches have been described to address the needs of this growing number of youth with CHD. Transition to adulthood has been and will continue to be a significant clinical concern as the adult survival rate increases. Health care professionals who are involved in transition planning will be focused on the health-related concerns of the transfer to an ACHD, insurability, and long-term CHD management, as well as issues related to employment, education, social relationships, and independent living. Successful transitioning is dependent on long-term planning,. youth-centered approaches, service coordination, and referral to adult agencies. As youth, families, adult survivors, and experts have discovered, long-term survival means more than the physical aspects of CHD.