Transition of care: Initial impressions from the Erasmus MC

There are huge differences between pediatric and adult healthcare: Children's Hospital uses holistic approach looking at family, school, sports, while adult side is more focused on the disease

Patients fall into a gap if they are not prepared for transition from pediatric to adult care

Erasmus MC has been doing follow-up for almost 25 years

A lot of problems from congenital anomalies continue on into adult life

Main goal of transitional program is to train children to recognize importance of their own health, recognize risks they run, and minimize risks

18-year-olds are often not really adults in their behavior and skills

Pediatric and adult healthcare providers have to have close contact to provide continuity of care

One of the main goals is to not lose any patients in transition of care

We know we lose patients during transition

Patients need to know who to contact on the adult team and when to contact the adult team

Patients with a lot of problems know why they need transitional programs, but patients with not a lot of problems sometimes don't know what they have

A lot of parents are unaware that they need lifelong care, and a lot of children are unaware that they need lifelong care

Follow-up care provides years to teach both parents and children that their health is their responsibility and they need lifelong care

Based on experience from own center and answers from patients and patient support groups, it is extremely important to implement transitional care

Proper transition can reduce comorbidities in adulthood

Health systems differ in every country

Need to make a basis for all patients in Europe so they can have transition to adult care

Ernica can play a role in establishing standardized transitional programs by pulling together different countries' expertise and resources