Social Workers as Transition Brokers: Facilitating the Transition From Pediatric to Adult Medical Care

Abstract

Transition from pediatric to adult medical care and the significant psychosocial considerations impacting this developmental process are a primary focus in health care today. Social workers are often the informal brokers of this complex and nuanced process and are uniquely trained to complete biopsychosocial assessments to understand the needs of patients and families and address psychosocial factors. Their extensive knowledge of resources and systems, along with their sophisticated understanding of the relationship issues, family dynamics, cultural implications, and basic person-in-context approach allow for unique collaboration with the health care team, family, and community supports to develop successful transition plans and programs.

Transition to adult medical care for adolescents with epilepsy

“…In literature, the staffing of such a transition clinic differs, ranging from an individual or combined adult and pediatric neurologist or epileptologist or with a pediatrician, pediatric and adult epilepsy nurse specialists, or an adult epilepsy nurse alone [4,6,10,11,13,16,37,40]. Career advisers, social workers, and psychologists were available in pediatric and adult settings [10,11,19]. Although different models have been described, Kuchenbuch et al state the staffing was comparable in pediatric, adult, or joint transition clinics [10,40].…”

“…The importance of transition clinics was reviewed by Carrizosa et al [40], Camfield et al [16], Khan et al [5], Shanske et al [19], and Lewis et al [2].…”

“…The social worker has specific knowledge about psychosocial problems, environmental interactions, and required supportive interventions. A social worker can provide adequate information and guidance for financial support, family dynamics, and system issues, and is of added value for patients and relatives who usually seek information in support groups [12,19].…”

“…Although the problem of transition from pediatric to adult care and the concept of multidisciplinary transition care are widely recognized in chronic disease, little quantitative data are available about transition problems and required care in adolescents with epilepsy [1,6,11,13,15,19]. The aim of this review is therefore twofold: to describe the process of transition to adult medical care in adolescents with epilepsy and to evaluate the most effective model for epilepsy transitional services.…”

“…Moreover, leaving pediatric care during this transition often leads to discontinuity of chronic care [1,2,5,6,11,12,15]. Therefore, an emphasis on support during transition seems of utmost importance [1,6,7,13,18,19].…”