A Systematic Review on Interventions to Enhance Transition Process in Youth with Chronic Disease: Are They Crucial for Transition Outcomes?

Abstract

To evaluate interventions designed to improve transition to adult-oriented care for youth with chronic physical health problems.

Methods: Electronic searches were conducted in PubMed, Google Scholar, EMBASE, and PsycINFO focusing on patient education and preparation, and their effect on the course and the follow-up of diseases, as well as on the quality of life of young people.

Results: Seventeen studies met inclusion criteria. Educational programs, either hospital-based or Internet-based, and also workshops with a cognitive-behavioral approach seem to reflect positively on transition outcomes.

Conclusions: This systematic review illustrates a map of interventions that enhance a successful transition of young chronic patients to adult health care. The findings suggest that educational programs, behavioral workshops, common medical appointments with pediatric and adult healthcare providers, training of the latter, and patient families are useful to transition experience. Transition programs should be developed with a long-term perspective preparing and empowering youth for the future.

Keywords: Adolescents; Chronic disease; Systematic review; Transition; Young adults.