Transition of care of adolescents with chronic diseases in the Netherlands is below par

Objective. Transition of care is a big challenge for pediatrics. In the Netherlands not much is known about preparation for transition, transfer policies and collaboration with adult care. Objective of this research was to gather insight into current transitional practices and into the felt necessity for improvement of adolescent care. Methods. Cross-sectional, descriptive research in a convenience sample of health care professionals involved with adolescents (12-25 years old) with chronic somatic diseases. 115 professionals (48% pediatricians) from (pediatric) hospitals filled out the webquestionnaire and eight additional telephone interviews were conducted. Results. Apart from medical issues, care professionals saw the importance of addressing the social position of these adolescents during consultations. Preparation for transition of care and the promotion of more independence of young people got the attention of most of the teams, but more structural interventions were rare. Essential elements of a transition program such as transition protocols, individual action plans and the use of a transition coordinator or transition clinic were only present in a minority of the teams. Over 85% of the respondents gave high priority to improving self-management, adherence and self-reliance in their population. Conclusions. There is a discrepancy between the priorities of health care professionals and the way in which transition of care is being practiced at the moment in the Netherlands. Promotion of selfmanagement, adherence, and social participation are important areas for improvement The growing number of young people with chronic diseases necessitates better organization of transition of care and more attention toward self-management.