Addressing the Transition to Adult Health Care for Adolescents and Young Adults with Pancreatic Disorders.

Introduction:  The transition from pediatric to adult health care is a vulnerable time period for adolescents and young adults (AYA). Guidance on how to effectively implement transition support for AYA with recurrent acute pancreatitis (RAP) and chronic pancreatitis (CP) is lacking.

Methods:  To address this gap, we formed a consortium of pancreatic centers that would work in coordination to test interventions to improve the transition for AYA with RAP and CP.

Identifying key components of a web-based long term care planning intervention for family caregivers of individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities.

Background: Few family caregivers of individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities develop long-term care (LTC) plans for their relative. Web-based interventions promoting LTC planning have potential for widespread adoption into clinical practice.

Methods: We conducted focus groups with 49 primary caregivers of individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities in NY, PA, OH, DE, and TX to identify barriers and facilitators of LTC planning, review existing tools, and identify critical features for web-based LTC planning interventions.

The health care transition research consortium health care transition model: a framework for research and practice.

The body of health care transition (HCT) research is in the early stages of development. One of the major limitations of this developing field of research is the lack of theoretically-directed studies. This research limitation has hindered understanding of the variables contributing to successful HCT.

Assessing the health, functional characteristics, and health needs of youth attending a noncategorical transition support program.

Purpose: To assess the health, functional characteristics, and health care service needs of youth and young adults with special health care needs attending a comprehensive, noncategorical transition program.

Methods: A self-administered survey was developed from national health surveys and clinical experience to assess concepts identified as important for successful transition to adulthood. Surveys were mailed to 198 parents of youth and young adults with special health care needs attending the transition clinic.

A systematic review of clinical diagnostic systems used in the diagnosis of tuberculosis in children.

Background. Tuberculosis (TB) is difficult to diagnose in children due to lack of a gold standard, especially in resource-limited settings. Scoring systems and diagnostic criteria are often used to assist in diagnosis; however their validity, especially in areas with high HIV prevalence, remains unclear.