Transitions in Health Care: What Can We Learn from Our Experience with Cystic Fibrosis

Abstract

Numerous individuals with chronic disease age into adulthood each year, necessitating transition from a pediatric to an adult medical care team. Transition should start early in adolescence and occur gradually over years, preparing the individual for the transfer to the adult team. Cystic fibrosis (CF) has a growing population of adults, as survival over the past several decades has increased. The CF Foundation has implemented guidelines for the transition process. The transition process for individuals with CF provides an example that could be adapted into other chronic disease populations, to provide a successful and meaningful transition into adult care.

Keywords: Adult medicine; Chronic disease; Cystic fibrosis; Pediatric medicine; Transition of health care.