Therapeutic education programme for patients with chronic endocrine conditions: Transition from paediatric to adult services

The purpose of this study is to contribute to better identifying the transition of patients with chronic endocrine conditions from paediatric to adult department. The aim was to specify the means and the competences that must be used by patients and health care teams and which could be help to the best quality care. Method > We propose group sessions and individual interviews. A thematic analysis of the sessions and the responses to questionnaires have enabled the development of individual educational diagnosis and assess the autonomy of young adolescents. Results > Fifty of 214 patients from paediatric services participated to therapeutic education program (TEP) in the last four years. This program is based on the psychic movements of adolescence. One year after the therapeutic education program session, 48 patients came to all the medical consultations and we observed a greater autonomy in adolescent patients. Conclusion > However, we must improve the modalities for including patients in this "transition program''.