Initial observations of medically complex young adults transitioning to adult care: Revealing data regarding mental health, nutrition, and transition preparedness

Background

Approximately one million adolescents with medical complexity transition into adult healthcare each year. Pediatric and adult providers alike have identified several barriers to transition, including insufficient knowledge of community resources, a lack of reimbursement for providing transition services, and an overall shortage of medical providers. Because of these barriers, the healthcare needs and challenges of this population have been understudied. The purpose of this article is to describe findings regarding nutrition, mental health, transition readiness, and caregiver burnout in a patient population of medically complex young adults in the interdisciplinary STEP clinic in the state of Alabama. Through the establishment of streamlined transition programs such as STEP, providers can address the unique health care needs of this patient population, with particular emphasis on optimizing mental health and nutrition.

Methods

All patients seen at the STEP clinic from September 2020 to August 2021 (n = 169) were evaluated through pertinent validated assessments of transition readiness (TRAQ), and/or caregiver burden (ZBI), and/or mental health (PHQ9, GAD7). Additional variables collected from patient charts include age, race, diagnosis, primary insurance type, equipment dependence, and body mass index (BMI).

Results

The average TRAQ score of patients included in this study is 3.57 ± 1.11. A TRAQ score of below 4.0 suggests that the patient is not yet ready to transition from pediatric to adult care. The average ZBI score of caregivers is 20.97 ± 12.59, which indicates mild to moderate caregiver burden. 33% of patients were found to have moderate to severe anxiety, and 28% were found to have moderate to severe depression. Only 3.6% of patients seen at the STEP clinic have a BMI within normal limits. 113 of our patients have ongoing use of medical technology, and 49% are wheelchair users.

Conclusions

The need for organized transition care for medically complex young adults is apparent and growing. This patient population faces unique challenges in navigating the adult healthcare system, and patients are often unprepared for the transition. It is crucial that multidisciplinary clinics in which mental health and nutrition are addressed become accessible to all patients within this high-risk population.