Health care transitions for adolescents with congenital heart disease: patient and family perspectives

Adolescents and young adults with congenital heart disease are an expanding population as more patients survive to adulthood. Although clinicians now recognize their unique health care needs, there are still many unknowns about the subjective experiences and psychosocial issues of this population, especially as they try to negotiate the health care system during developmental transition. Assessment and recognition of the developmental changes occurring for both adolescents and their families and the impact of chronic illness on these changes are critical if transition is to be successful. Patient and family perspectives must be understood and included when planning nursing interventions for transition care. This article discusses the issues of health care transition from the perspectives of the patient and family.