Member May 2025: Growing Pains: Transitioning individuals with Spinal Cord Disease from Pediatric to Adult Care (On Demand)-Session Recording

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The discussion centers on the challenges and strategies for transitioning pediatric patients with conditions like spina bifida and spinal cord injury to adult healthcare. Pediatric and adult rehabilitation specialists detail the complexities of transitioning care once patients reach adulthood, emphasizing that it's a process best started early.<br /><br />Key points include the need for integrating multidisciplinary teams to manage medical, therapeutic, and daily living needs, which requires coordination across pediatrics and adult care systems. Transition challenges include insurance coverage gaps, a lack of specialized adult providers, and adequate continuity of care. Examples were given of successful strategies, such as having designated transition coordinators and employing digitized transition summaries to streamline patient information.<br /><br />Speakers also highlighted the importance of bridging emotional and informational gaps for both patients and families, using role-playing and support from other adults with similar conditions. Adult providers adjust by trying to offer continued support and ensuring the transition feels less daunting by utilizing clinics or people they know.<br /><br />The overriding message is the necessity for structured planning, effective communication, and ensuring resources and education are accessible to support these medically complex transitions.

Keywords

pediatric transition

spina bifida

spinal cord injury

adult healthcare

multidisciplinary teams

transition coordinators

continuity of care

emotional support

structured planning