The Division of Services for Children With Special Health Care Needs, MCHB, has established six indicators to Measuring Success for Children and Youth with Special Health Needs and their families. These outcomes/performance measures are articulated in the Division's goals for Healthy People 2010. Measuring Success addresses two critical issues for families and youth with special health care needs or disabilities who are transitioning to adult health care.
As youth with special health needs begin to transition to the next phase in their lives, they must contend with their independence. This includes employment, housing, personal finances, recreation and many other areas we all face as adults. Planning for the future needs of a young person is an arduous process. Some areas of transition are addressed by school systems through the requirements of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (P.L. 105-17). There is however, no systematic approach required by legislation that governs transition to adult health care and insurance coverage for youth with special health needs or disabilities.
Transitioning to adult health care can be a frightening and sometimes overwhelming process for both parents and youth. This article is based on interviews with parents and young adults with special health needs or disabilities. It provides perspectives on transitioning from pediatric/adolescent care to adult health care systems.
First and foremost, parents, family members and young adults with special health needs or disabilities expressed fear in changing from pediatric/adolescent care to adult care because they were unable to identify health care practitioners who were familiar with their unique needs. One young person described a particular concern. "My pediatrician and I had a good rapport about my health needs. When I had shunt problems at age twenty, she was able to immediately identify the issue just by looking into my eyes and assessing a few other symptoms. I don't know if that will be possible with my new doctor because she doesn't know me that well and I'm her first patient with Spina Bifida." This is typical of the kinds of concerns also expressed by parents on behalf of their children.
Developing rapport, trust and confidence with a new health care provider was a concern voiced by all young people interviewed. They were concerned about how long it would take to develop a relationship and how receptive the health care provider would be to their needs.
Parents were concerned that the manner in which services would be delivered would be quite different in many respects. Pediatric/adolescent care actively involves the parent and/or other family members. This is not typically the case with adult care, which tends to focus only on the patients with the assumption that they can manage their health care independently.
Parents expressed concerns about the impact of changes in health care coverage for young adults with chronic illness or disabilities. Under some insurance plans a variety of conditions must be met in order to maintain coverage. In some cases, families found it necessary to access Medicaid because their children no longer met the age or dependent status criteria of their private insurance. One parent shared an experience in which transition took place very abruptly for her son with special health needs. The insurer's policy limited the health care practitioner's ability to serve patients to those 21 years and younger, although the practitioner and family thought the ceiling was 25 years. This resulted in an interruption of care for her son. Additionally, because her son had complex needs, there was inadequate time to prepare with a new health care practitioner.
As parents begin the process of transition their young adults from pediatric/adolescent care to adult health care, these considerations may be helpful in supporting your child through this process.
There are a number of things you may consider as a young person preparing for or transitioning to adult health care.
As a health care provider who is currently or is preparing to serve youth with special health care needs, consider the following suggestions to help make for a smooth transition process.
Use strategies that involve family for those youth who
need and prefer this approach to health care.
Many young people with special health needs or disabilities have received health
care within the context of family. Mothers, fathers or siblings have often
been a companion, supporter, advocate or facilitator in their care. They have
a tremendous investment in the health and well being their family member with
special health needs. Careful consideration should be given to how to involve
families, in a meaningful manner, while simultaneously maintaining the highest
level of independence and privacy for the youth.
Use culturally and linguistically competent practices.
The concept of family, how family is defined and who comprises family is deeply
rooted in culture. Perceptions of health, well being, illness and disability
are also culturally based. Understanding the implications of these values
and beliefs systems will enable practitioners to more effectively serve young
adults and their families. Additionally, given how diverse the U.S. society
is, health care providers also should consider the need for language access
and linguistic competence in their practice.
Use a team approach to facilitate the transition process.
The transition process is facilitated by collaborating with the youth, family
members, referring pediatric/adolescent health practitioner and other specialists
to gather helpful information. In addition to health care, individuals with
special health needs or disabilities often require services and supports
from an array of other systems such as social services, vocational rehabilitation
and mental health. In some instances, physicians are required to authorize
services. Your familiarity with these systems can be of benefit to the young
adult and his/her family.
Access resources that may help with both transition and
delivery of health care to young adults with special health
needs.
While there is no Federal mandate that insures transition to adult health care
systems, there are resources that can help with this process. One example is
the Healthy and Ready to Work demonstration grants funded by MCHB in many states.
For more information, see http://www.hrtw.org/
November, 2001
