Project 460957

Advances in the treatment and care of individuals with complex and chronic conditions has increased the number of children surviving through to adulthood. In Canada, at the age of 18, the care of these individuals is transferred from a paediatric to adult care setting. This transfer includes changes to environment (different care setting), changes to providers (different doctors) and a new system to navigate. If adolescents and young adults are not adequately prepared for this transition, they are at risk for poor health outcomes, increased use of health care resources (i.e., increased Emergency Room visits or hospital admissions), and negative care experiences. The focus of our proposal is to address issues faced by youth with special health care needs, including those with physical, mental or developmental needs, who require ongoing health monitoring and care to maintain optimal health, and their families, while transitioning from paediatric to adult systems of care. To do so, we plan to create a strong national network that engages researchers, clinicians, young adults and families, as well as key leading health and community-based organizations, from youth and adult domains, to develop a national research agenda to improve transition to adult health care services. Through a Pop-Up Event and planning meeting to be held in partnership with the Children's Healthcare Canada, the Transition Hub will 1) build and strengthen partnerships, and 2) identify the most urgent research questions to address across populations of youth with physical, mental and developmental healthcare needs and settings. Our ultimate goal is to increase knowledge that will benefit all youth with health-related problems of today who are the adults of tomorrow.