Improving Transition to Adult Epilepsy Care for Young Patients
Summary
This study looked at how young people with epilepsy move from pediatric to adult care at a single medical center. Researchers reviewed the medical records of 274 patients aged 15 and older who were seen by pediatric neurologists in 2019 and followed their care until 2022. They wanted to see if there were discussions about transitioning to adult care, if patients actually made the transfer, and if they continued to receive care as adults.
The findings showed that only 25% of the patients had a documented discussion about transitioning to adult care. More than half (51%) of the patients ended up transferring to adult care, with an average age of 20 at the time of transfer. The study found that older age and not having an intellectual disability were linked to having discussions about transitioning and actually making the transfer. However, once patients were in adult care, there were no clear factors that predicted whether they would stay in that care.
This research highlights the importance of discussing the transition to adult care for young people with epilepsy, as it may help them make the move more successfully. The study suggests that having formal programs for transitioning could improve the process and ensure better care for these patients. However, since this study was done at just one institution, the results may not apply to all settings, and more research is needed to understand the best ways to support these transitions.
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