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Youth Health Care Transition HF#7324

Getting Started


What is Youth Health Care Transition?


Knowing what youth health care transition is all about is the first step. It is the process of moving from pediatric to adult health care. This process takes time. During this time you will get support while you learn and practice skills you need to be independent. Transition includes inpatient and outpatient primary and specialty care. Planning for transition is based on you and your family’s needs. Some youth with complex medical, health, or other special needs, need more help than others. Our goal is for you to get the support you need to reach your full potential. Family, friends, schools, communities and primary care providers will help you to succeed.


Working with Your Health Care Team


As I begin to transition what are some of the questions I can ask my doctors?


You are a partner in your health care and have the right to ask for what you want. If you are not sure about what you want, talk with your health care team. Below are some sample questions that you and your parents can ask your doctor to get the conversation started:

  • At what age does this clinic transition youth to adult care?
  • If I am in a family practice clinic do I need to think about health care transition?
  • Can you suggest an adult provider for me?
  • Can you help me with transition planning? Do you have transition care plans that you use?
  • What community resources should I learn about?

What are some tools that can help me and my family as I transition?


You and your family are partners with the health care providers on your team. As a team you can create and use a written transition plan. This helps the members of your team keep track of the steps; know who is doing what, and when certain things need to be done. A sample transition plan will include the following:

  • A list of your pediatric doctors and health care providers by clinic and a space for an identified adult provider in that health area.
  • A timeline for moving from pediatric to adult care for each health area.
  • A timeline for writing a medical summary that will be given to the adult doctor.


To find sample transition plans go to: http://wimedicalhometoolkit.aap.org/transitions/ or you can ask your doctor what plan to use.


How will I know if the transition process is going well?


You may want to evaluate the transition process. You and your team can decide how often to do this. There are many ways to evaluate the process.

  • Use checklists found in the sample plans.
  • Plan routine check-in with the health care team to review the plan. At this time you can decide if the process is going smoothly or if there are problems to talk about.
  • Keep learning more about transition. Keep in mind it is a process, not an event. 

Gathering Information


What do you need to know to get ready for transition?


There are some legal changes that happen starting at ages 12, 14 and 18. Below are some examples of changes that you may notice:

Your doctor may ask your parents to leave the room. This is so you can have a private and sometimes confidential talk with your doctor.[Link to fact sheet: “Why does my child’s doctor ask me to leave the room now?]

  • Your Insurance coverage may change. This depends on whether you are covered under your parents insurance plan, or if you have your own insurance through Medicaid.
  • Legal rights for you and your parents change unless you take action.
    • Access to medical information and decision-making.
    • Authorization for Verbal Communication form.
    • Power of attorney, guardianship, advance directive.


For more detail, go to the Transition Health Care Checklist: http://www.waisman.wisc.edu/cedd/pdfs/products/health/THCL.pdf

 

Where can my parents and I go for more information about resources for me as a special health care needs youth?


You can talk with your health care team, and check out these resources:

 

Practicing Independence Skills


What can my parents do to help me be more independent?


From an early age they give you guidance and messages to help you look forward to life as an adult. Below are some simple ways they can help you learn skills to be independent.

  • Learn coaching skills to help them talk with you and teach you about your medical condition.
  • Give you chores around the house.
  • Gently remind you that one day you will be an adult.


What skills do I need to be independent?


Everyone is unique and the level of independence you reach will vary. You and your family can think about what it would look like for you to reach your full potential. You may communicate with words, or you may use sign language, writing, communication devices, pointing, story boards or other methods. You and your family can talk about ideas for you to gain skills.


Here are some ways you can practice independence at home, school and in your community.

  • Know how and when to ask for help.
  • Find a way to tell others about your health condition.
  • Find a way to name medicines you are taking and why.
  • Bring your medical history or personal health record to a doctor visit using one of these tools.
    • smart phone
    • tablet
    • pape
    • flash drive
  • Write health independence goals into a 504 health plan or an Individualized Education Program [Link to: http://www.waisman.wisc.edu/cshcn/cdrom.php]
  • Write your own health plan if a formal health plan is not available.


At your doctor’s office you can practice independence through these skills:

  • Ask for time for you and your doctor to talk with each other.
  • Ask for time for you and your doctor to meet alone for part or all of an office visit.
  • Call in prescriptions refills first with the help of a parent or caregiver. Work towards doing this on your own.
  • Schedule a doctor appointment first with the help of a parent or caregiver. Work towards doing this on your own.
  • Use tools to help you remember questions and your doctor’s recommendations. Write on paper, or use an electronic device, email, voice record, or after visit summary.


The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Last Updated: 06/06/2012

Copyright © 5/2012 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority, Madison, WI and the Waisman Center University of Wisconsin-Madison, in collaboration with the Wisconsin Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs Program. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. UWH #7324

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