Child to Adult transitions

ongoing

One in five young people in the programme region suffers from severe or chronic disease. Young patients depend on the support of their parents and the health care system. At the age of 18, however, they are more on their own because they automatically transition from the child/young department to the adult department, with fewer consultations and less support. An abrupt transition can result in interruption of treatment or serious complications – in the worst case, early death. Discontinued health care is also a socio-economic problem. Therefore, it is crucial that the transition from child to adult in health care receives more attention. Cat (Child to Adult Transitions) is a cross-regional project that will improve the transition from child to adult care and minimise the risk of patients being “lost” during the transition period. Cat develops and implements cross-border transition programmes based on research on the needs and experiences of young patients. The programmes prepare patients for their transition process through transition teams, workshops and digital solutions. Cat is based on transnational cooperation, exchange of experience and capacity building between hospitals. In this way, Denmark and Germany jointly make a strong effort to support young patients. The project has the following objectives: Transition Teams: Transnational Transition Teams will be established to support young patients in their transition process from children and adolescents to adult care. Workshops: A series of workshops will be carried out to help young patients (14-25 years) gather skills and knowledge and establish their networks. Digital Tools: Digital solutions are developed to support young patients in their transition process from children and adolescents to adult treatment. Research: Qualitative and quantitative research projects were carried out that generate new knowledge about young patients’ experiences with transition processes. Transition Programmes: Based on the results of the CAT project, transnational transition programmes are developed for young patients.

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