The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #49824

John Reiss, PhD¹, Robert W. Gibson, MSOTR/L¹, and Leslie Walker, MD². (1) Institute for Child Health Policy, University of Florida, 5700 SW 34th street, suite 323, Gainsville, FL 32608-5367, 352-392-5904, jgr@ichp.edu, (2) Dept. of Pediatrics, Georgetown University, 2 Pasquillera Health Center, 3800 Reservoir Rd., Washington, DC 20007

The establishment of medical homes has been identified as a high priority by MCHB in its 2010 Express 10 Year agenda for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN). Organizing care in a medical home can create both opportunities and difficulties in the transition of young adult with chronic special health needs to adult oriented medical providers. This presentation addresses the process of health care transition from the perspective of the medical home and presents ways, at the direct-care, community, and state/policy levels, to increase the likelihood of a successful transition to adult oriented medical providers. This presentation draws on the results of a national survey regarding the transition practices of state Title V CSHCN Programs (Reiss) and a qualitative study (Reiss & Gibson) of 143 respondents (young adults, family members and healthcare providers) who participated in 34 focus groups about health care transition. Results from the national survey indicate that transition policies and practices vary significantly from state to state. Results of the qualitative study indicate that successful health care transition is a complex multifactorial process requiring advanced planning, coordination of medical resources and systems and addresses the psychosocial needs of the young adults, family members and health care providers. This presentation will identify strategies for promoting health care transition through changes at the practice level, community, state/policy levels.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participants will be able to

• Recognize the importance of health care transition in the context of medical home.
• List four factors that impact the process of HCT at the direct-care, community, and/or state level.
• Discuss three strategies to promote promising transition practices at the direct-care, community, and/or state level.

Keywords: Adolescent Health, Access to Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.