Transitioning from adolescent to adult healthcare is a planned process rather than a single transfer of care. As young people mature, they gradually assume greater responsibility for managing their health while moving from paediatric or adolescent services to adult healthcare providers. A successful transition helps maintain continuity of care, improves health outcomes, and reduces the risk of young people becoming lost to follow-up.

International guidelines recommend that transition planning should begin early, around 12–14 years of age, and should be tailored to the young person's developmental stage, medical condition, emotional maturity, and personal goals. Planning should involve the young person, their family, the primary care physician, and both paediatric and adult healthcare teams. Studies have shown that well-planned transitions can improve treatment adherence, patient satisfaction, self-management skills, and long-term health outcomes.

Why is Transition Important?

Many adolescents with chronic medical or mental health conditions continue to require specialist care into adulthood. These include:

• Diabetes

• Asthma

• Congenital heart disease

• Epilepsy

• Rheumatological disorders

• Inflammatory bowel disease

• Cancer survivorship

• Autism spectrum disorder

• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

• Depression, anxiety disorders and other mental health conditions

Without appropriate transition planning, young adults are more likely to miss appointments, discontinue medications, experience worsening disease control, require emergency care, and report poorer quality of life. Transition should therefore be viewed as an essential part of healthcare rather than simply reaching a particular birthday.

What Happens During Transition?

A structured transition usually includes:

• Understanding your medical condition and treatment.

• Learning the names and purposes of your medications.

• Making your own appointments.

• Speaking independently with healthcare professionals.

• Understanding health insurance and financial issues where applicable.

• Learning when and how to seek emergency care.

• Identifying an adult healthcare provider.

• Preparing a medical summary for transfer.

Many healthcare services now encourage adolescents to spend part of each consultation speaking with their doctor independently, helping them develop confidence and self-advocacy skills before entering adult care.

What Can Families Do?

Parents remain important partners during transition, but their role gradually changes from managing healthcare to supporting independence. Families can help by encouraging adolescents to:

• Carry their own medication list.

• Know their allergies.

• Arrange prescription refills.

• Ask questions during clinic visits.

• Understand warning symptoms requiring urgent medical attention.

• Participate in healthcare decisions.

Healthcare teams should recognise that readiness for transition varies considerably between individuals and should be based on developmental readiness rather than age alone.

Helpful Online Resources

The following websites provide reliable information and practical tools for young people and families:

• Got Transition® – National Resource Center on Health Care Transition (transition checklists, readiness assessments, videos, and family resources)

• Got Transition® Six Core Elements™ Toolkit (evidence-based tools used by healthcare professionals)

• NICE Guideline: Transition from Children's to Adults' Services

• NICE Information for Young People and Families

Key Message

Transition is a journey, not a single clinic appointment. The goal is to help every young person become a confident, informed, and independent partner in managing their own health. Starting early, involving families, and maintaining close collaboration between paediatric and adult healthcare teams can help support a successful transition.

Selected References

1. Blum RW, Garell D, Hodgman CH, et al. Transition from child-centered to adult health-care systems for adolescents with chronic conditions. Journal of Adolescent Health. 1993;14(7):570–576.

2. American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Physicians, American College of Physicians. Supporting the Health Care Transition From Adolescence to Adulthood in the Medical Home. Pediatrics. 2018;142(5):e20182587.

3. NICE Guideline NG43: Transition from Children's to Adults' Services.

4. Got Transition® – Six Core Elements of Health Care Transition™.