Evaluating Transition Readiness: Is Self-Report Valid as the Gold Standard?

Objective: Determination of transitional readiness is an essential component of delivery of transition services to adolescents and young adults with chronic diseases, including those with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). To date, this has been performed using the transition checklist (TC). However, clinical experience suggests the validity of the checklist may not be ideal.

Harnessing the Electronic Health Record to Distribute Transition Services to Adolescents With Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate feasibility and utility of an electronic health record (EHR) activity to assess transitional readiness, deliver services to meet individual needs, and to track patient progress.

Methods: We developed a Transition EHR activity (TEA) to track patients through a standardized process where transition readiness is annually assessed and services distributed based on need. The process assesses transition skills starting at age 12 years and sets goals through shared decision-making, delivers resources according to need, reviews patients' personal medical histories, and documents healthcare transfer to adult gastroenterology.