Improving the system-- join the conversation on transitioning patients from child to adult care
By
Amanda Jerome
There are a significant number of children with complex congenital anomalies who are treated at SickKids Hospital and Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital by numerous specialists until they reach 18 years of age. At that time, they are discharged with the expectation that they will continue receiving care at adult medical facilities, with care being provided by adult specialists.
In certain situations, this transition from child to adult care can be rather difficult to complete with ease. Adult facilities and practitioners are often inadequately prepared to assume care of such a complex patient population, especially when they have undergone multiple surgeries that are not commonplace in older patients. As a result, it is not uncommon for these patients to become “lost” in the system, sometimes with serious, and even fatal, consequences.
Moving Beyond Pediatric Incontinence: The Challenges of Transitional Care, being held June 6-8, 2013 in Toronto, aims to address these important aspects by providing open forums for discussion and education of health care providers that care for these complex pediatric patients as they transition beyond the children’s hospital environment into adulthood. Discussion of institutional, insurance, and governmental barriers to establish effective transitional processes will be a cornerstone of this meeting. Experts from around the globe will provide their insight and expertise into these issues. This meeting will help to promote support from public and private organizations in developing more optimal services for young adults with complex congenital anomalies as they reach the age of transition.
Media are welcome to attend free of charge. This meeting is open to the public and interested parties can register online under the Allied Health category at the cost of $300 dollars.
Visit www.cepd.utoronto.ca/bpi/ for full meeting details and an online registration form. For more information, please contact:
Continuing Education & Professional Development Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto Tel: 416.978.2719 Email: info.cepd@utoronto.ca Website: www.cepd.utoronto.ca
