Both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Society of Adolescent Medicine have published position papers on adolescent transition. The optimal goal of transition is to provide health care that is uninterrupted, coordinated, developmentally appropriate, psychosocially sound, and comprehensive. Health transition facilitates transition is other areas of life as well, such as work, community, and school. In other words, transition is more than, and sometimes distinct from, simple referral to a physician caring for adults. Transition proceeds at different rates for different individuals and families.
Most developmental transitions create anxiety.
The anxiety is beneficial when it facilitates growth and detrimental when it inhibits growth. Providers must support both maturing patients and concerned parents in the process. Timing of transition will depend on developmental readiness, complexity of the health problems, characteristics of the adolescent and family, and the availability of skilled adult health providers. Transition is more complex and generally more difficult for those with more severe functional limitations or more complicated medical conditions. These individuals will require a formal plan developed over a longer period of time.