Starting transition
Preparation for transition may be considered from early adolescence
(11-13 years) in accordance with the patient’s developmental stage
(Grade D).13-19 This will allow AYA to gradually
acquire new knowledge about their disease and develop self-management
skills, allowing them to take increasing responsibility for their
medical care. It is generally agreed that the optimal timing for
initiation of the transition process cannot be based on chronological
age. An individualised, flexible approach is required. The following
factors might be considered by HCPs to determine the ideal age to start
the transition process: mental and physical development, disease
activity, health literacy, adherence to treatment, autonomy in disease
management, family’s socioeconomic circumstances and school format (due
to increased patient responsibility as move up the schooling system).
Transition readiness questionnaires are tools which consist of a list of
desirable skills and educational targets that AYA should ideally meet
before transfer to adult care.13,15,17,19 There is a
lack of validated readiness assessment tools for AYA with allergy and/or
asthma but several generic tools are available such as Transition
Readiness Assessment Questionnaire20, “Ready, Steady,
Go”21 and TR(x)ANSITION Scale22.
HCP may consider using one throughout the transition process to track
progress and identify areas where AYA need more help to build knowledge
and understanding, autonomy and self-management skills (Grade D).