Transition in Endocrinology

Abstract

Healthcare professionals are increasingly aware that the transition from childhood to adulthood requires special consideration, in terms of meeting the needs of young people with any long-term condition, both through healthcare design and delivery and the need for a specific skill and behaviour set in order to do this effectively. Young people can be a forgotten group, not adequately considered in paediatric or adult service development strategies resulting in disrupted care. This phase of life is key, as it is when a young person develops their ideas about, and relationships with the healthcare system and their own health condition, thus setting the scene for future interactions. Young people with endocrine conditions, whether onset is in early childhood or during adolescence, often require lifelong care, and therefore both paediatric and adult healthcare professionals require knowledge about: biopsychosocial development and how it can both affect and be affected by having an endocrine condition; key aspects of adolescent health; developmentally appropriate healthcare; effective transition between paediatric and adult services; endocrine-specific care during adolescence and young adulthood.