In Hong Kong,
most adolescents with chronic illnesses are managed in the public health-care
system. As these patients develop and mature, they would need to move on to
adult services. Literature has highlighted the different adverse health
outcomes in patients whose care in transition had been poorly managed.
In the past few
years, there has been a call for the development of a better transition care
service in Hong Kong. Worldwide, various transition models have been proposed
but evaluation of model effectiveness has been difficult because of the diverse
clinical conditions and many other factors.
Paediatric and adult
physicians have identified the following in the development of transition care
locally - disease complexity, patient risk stratification, availability of
resources, professional expertise and training, volume of patients,
regionalization of medical services, and importantly the transition care
policy. Progress in the development of transition care has been made.
This Adolescent Transition Care Assessment Tool
was developed by HKSAH to assist health professionals in providing a better
transition care. Its content is self explanatory. The copy is provided free.
You are most welcome to download for your care of adolescents and their
families.
Disclaimer: This Education Material is
for information only. Users will be responsible for making their own assessment
of the matters discussed herein which should not replace advices from their
health care professionals.
This material is made possible with the assistance
from adolescent volunteers. Free download http://hksah.blogspot.hk/
Date of
Publication: 1 December 2013
© Hong Kong Society for
Adolescent Health
