The Role of Internal Medicine-Pediatric Programs and Transition Champions in Graduate Medical Trainee Health Care Transition Development.

OBJECTIVE: Transition to adult health care for adolescents and young adults (AYAs), especially those with chronic conditions, is a critical time. Medical trainees lack competency in providing transition care, but little is known about the factors contributing to the development of health care transition (HCT) knowledge, attitudes, and practice. This study examines how Internal Medicine-Pediatrics (Med-Peds) programs and institutional HCT champions influence trainee HCT knowledge, attitudes, and practices. STUDY DESIGN: A 78-item electronic survey regarding the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of caring for AYA patients was sent to trainees from 11 graduate medical institutions. RESULTS: A total of 149 responses were analyzed, including 83 from institutions with Med-Peds programs and 63 from institutions without Med-Peds programs. Trainees with an institutional Med-Peds Program were more likely to identify an institutional HCT champion (odds ratio, 10.67; 95% confidence interval, 2.40-47.44; p = .002). The mean HCT knowledge scores and use of a routine, standardized HCT tools were higher in trainees with an institutional HCT champion. Trainees without an institutional Med-Peds program experienced more barriers to HCT education. Trainees with institutional HCT champions or Med-Peds programs reported greater comfort in providing transition education and using validated, standardized transition tools. DISCUSSION: The presence of a Med-Peds residency program was associated with a greater likelihood of a visible institutional HCT champion. Both factors were associated with increased HCT knowledge, positive attitudes, and HCT practices. Both clinical champions and adoption of Med-Peds program curricula will enhance HCT training within graduate medical education.

Transition Consultation Models in Two Academic Medical Centers.

Health care transition (HCT), the organized progression from pediatric- to adult-focused models of care, is crucial for patients with chronic childhood conditions. More adolescents with chronic conditions now survive into adulthood and have increased risk of adverse events during HCT. Got Transition-an agreement between the Maternal and Child Health Bureau and the National Alliance to Advance Adolescent Health-developed the Six Core Elements of Health Care Transition 2.0, defining the components of HCT. Most HCT programs incorporate these elements, but delivery varies. Additional studies are needed to determine the most efficacious interventions to improve HCT outcomes. Here, we introduce two approaches to improve HCT. The first is a clinic dedicated to HCT coupled with a life skills program. The other is a HCT consult service using existing resources to provide resident education and address HCT. Together, these programs provide examples that can be adapted to other settings. [Pediatr Ann. 2017;46(6):e235-e241.].

Using Quality Improvement in Resident Education to Improve Transition Care.

The importance of a specific transition process is recognized by many health organizations. Got Transition, a cooperative endeavor aimed at improving the transition from pediatric to adult health care, developed Six Core Elements defining the basic components of health care transition support. In this article, we review the Six Core Elements by presenting a model that combines resident quality improvement and transition care training. In this Internal Medicine-Pediatrics residency program, ambulatory training for residents takes place in a combined adult and pediatric clinic. Aligned with the Six Core Elements, the program has crafted and disseminated a transition policy for the practice, designed a portable health summary template for the electronic medical record (EMR), created EMR tools for assessing transition readiness and setting transition goals, formed a registry of patients, and audited charts. [Pediatr Ann. 2017;46(5):e203-e206.].