Attitude toward and current practice of transfer and transition of adolescents with congenital heart disease in the United States of America and Europe
Title
Attitude toward and current practice of transfer and transition of adolescents with congenital heart disease in the United States of America and Europe
Creator
Hilderson D; Saidi AS; Van Deyk K; Verstappen A; Kovacs AH; Fernandes SM; Canobbio MM; Fleck D; Meadows A; Linstead R; Moons P
Identifier
Publisher
Pediatric Cardiology
Date
2009
Subject
Child; Humans; United States; Adult; Attitude of Health Personnel; Questionnaires; Continuity of Patient Care; Europe; adolescent; Adolescent Transitions; retrospective studies; Heart Defects; Congenital/therapy; Patient Transfer/statistics & numerical data
Description
The objective of this study was to explore the current practice and attitudes of pediatric cardiologists in the United States and Europe on the transfer and transition of children with congenital heart disease (CHD). A survey among pediatric cardiology programs in the United States and Europe was undertaken. Sixty-nine centers completed and returned the 61-item questionnaire that was specifically devised for this survey. Of 69 participating centers, 74% reported that they transfer their patients to adult-focused care. When a center transfers its patients, 80% transfer them to a formalized Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program. The median age of transfer is 18 years. Comorbidities, pregnancy, and patient/family request to leave pediatric cardiology were identified as initiators for transfer. Complexity of the heart defect was relatively less important when deciding whether to transfer patients. Only one-third of the centers that transfer their patients provide a structured preparation for patients and family. Development of a formal transition program is planned at 59% of the centers that transfer patients. In conclusion, timely transfer and a structured transition process of children with CHD are not implemented in all pediatric cardiology programs. Health-care providers working in pediatric cardiology should make their transfer policies explicit and transition programs ought to be developed.
2009
Rights
Article information provided for research and reference use only. PedPalASCNET does not hold any rights over the resource listed here. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).
Type
Journal Article
Citation List Month
Backlog
URL Address
Citation
Hilderson D; Saidi AS; Van Deyk K; Verstappen A; Kovacs AH; Fernandes SM; Canobbio MM; Fleck D; Meadows A; Linstead R; Moons P, “Attitude toward and current practice of transfer and transition of adolescents with congenital heart disease in the United States of America and Europe,” Pediatric Palliative Care Library, accessed February 9, 2025, https://pedpalascnetlibrary.omeka.net/items/show/14436.