Escher H.: Tips and tricks for a successful transition, is there any evidence?

Dr Johanna (“Henkje”) Escher speaks with me for ESPGHAN’s podcast series today.  She works in learning how best to pass along the care of paediatric patients when, rather arbitrarily, they are declared to be adults.  All very well, no adolescent wants to be a child forever, but . . . well, paediatric disorders, that is, those that manifest themselves in early life, cover a far wider spectrum than do those that are unmasked only in adulthood, and to have been ill (and designated thus) for sixteen, eighteen, twenty-one years is, for a patient, baggage that “adult gastroenterologists” may not readily help carry.  I should not be surprised to learn that some “adult gastroenterologists” are afraid of, or at least nervous about, becoming primary caregivers for once-paediatric patients (and their parents) !  At any rate, Dr Escher shares with us today from Erasmus Medical Center / Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, her insights and views on the complicated issue of transition in hepatogastroenterologic care, particularly in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, and with full involvement of the patients themselves (are they ready for agency ? ) :  What are the goals of transition ?  How is success to be defined ? What is the best way to conduct transitional care ?  Her experience is well worth taking on board for your practice.

 

Literature :

van den Brink G et al.  Health care transition outcomes in inflammatory bowel disease:  A multinational Delphi study.  J Crohns Colitis 2019 Sep 19 13(9):1163-1172.  doi:  10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjz044.  PMID:  30766997.  PMCID:  PMC7142327.  

van Gaalen MAC et al.  Rotterdam transition test:  A valid tool for monitoring disease knowledge in adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease.  J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2022 Jan 1 74(1):60-67.  doi:  10.1097/MPG.0000000000003278.  PMID:  34371508.

van Gaalen MAC et al.  Validation and reference scores of the transition readiness assessment questionnaire in adolescent and young adult IBD patients.  J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2023 Sep 1 77(3):381-388.  doi:  10.1097/MPG.0000000000003868.  Epub 2023 Jun 22.  PMID:  37347146.

Dr. Escher´s favourite song: Zeg maar niets meer - Andre Hazes https://open.spotify.com/track/2x7VFpoHN8eutpliLKFfuh?si=df044410412548dd

ESPGHAN favourite Songs can be found on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0YIHKjxITLEm9XNyHyypTo