Transition Care - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is transition?When should transition begin & end?
What do I need to think about when preparing to move from my child health service?
When should I start thinking about adult health services that suit me?
What are my options?
How do I find the right service/person for me?
What are the most important things to consider when checking out an adult service?
What is transition?
It is the planned move from health services for children to health services for adults.
When should transition begin & end?
The people in your team will usually start talking about your move to adult health services when you are in high school, when you are about 13 years old or close to when you are diagnosed (if you are an older adolescent).
Transition is a process that occurs over many years. This allows time for you and your family to plan your future health care with your health team.
Transition ends when you have started seeing the adult health care professionals and have stopped seeing children's health services. This usually occurs close to when you leave school.
What do I need to think about when preparing to move from my child health service?
When moving from your child health service there are a number of things you need to keep in mind:
- Learn about your condition, including: your medications, warning signs that you need to get some help and how to get help.
- Understand what tests you need to have regularly, why and what the latest results were.
- Become more independent around your health care needs. This includes making your own appointments, having some 'alone time' with your doctor, getting your prescriptions filled and maintaining any medical equipment you need.
- Become more comfortable communicating with health care professionals, rather than relying on Mum or Dad to do all the talking. Practice asking your doctor questions and answering the ones they have.
- Find out about how adult health services are different to child health services. Start to check out the adult health services in your area and what they can offer you.
- Enrol for your own Medicare Card and find out about private health insurance.
- Try to discuss 'difficult' topics with your doctor, such as contraception, smoking, drugs and sexual health.
When should I start thinking about adult health services that suit me?
It is always good to start thinking about the move early, to give you time to find the right service that suits your needs. This is not something that should be rushed!
Allow at least a couple of years to find the services that suit you. It does take time to find out what services are available in your local area and then pick the best one for you.
What are my options?
Within NSW you have three main options for services:
- Public services
- Private care
- General Practitioners
Discuss the service options available to you with your child health service. Services can vary throughout the state and do vary between illnesses/ conditions.
How do I find the right service/person for me?
The first service you visit or the first adult doctor you see may not be the right one for you. You do have the right to 'shop around' for the one that meets your needs. The most important thing is to find a service that has staff that make you feel comfortable.
Try asking your doctor for recommendations, or even other young people with similar conditions.
What are the most important things to consider when checking out an adult service?
Here are a few points to keep in mind when searching for the right service:
- Is the waiting room youth friendly?
(Make sure it is not set up just for old people!) - Is it easy to get to an appointment at the service?
(This will vary depending on whether you drive, catch public transport and how far away you live). - What hours do they open?
(This may be important if you have to fit your appointments around work or study) - Can you access the building safely?
(Especially important if you use mobility aids) - Do you 'connect' and feel listened to by the staff?
(This includes your doctor and therapy staff) - Has the service had any experience with young people with a similar condition/illness?
- How quickly can you get into see a clinician once you ring up to make an appointment?
- What options do they offer to pay for appointments and how much do they charge?
Who can I contact to help me through the maze?
The health system can be confusing. To help you through transition why not talk with the staff at your child health service, your GP (local doctor) or the Transition Care Coordinators.
This web page is managed and authorised by Greater Metropolitan Clinical Taskforce. Last updated: 16 March, 2009
