Pediatric Pitfalls-Dr. Anderson - Pediatric Pitfalls

Dr. Anderson - Pediatric Pitfalls

Pdf Summary

In this document, Dr. Nicolaas C. Anderson discusses the potential pitfalls and challenges associated with transitioning a patient from a pediatric to an adult care environment. One of the challenges mentioned is insurance changes, particularly in Medicaid plans, that occur at age 21. The patient and their family may not anticipate these changes, so it is important for a social worker to address them prior to the transfer.<br /><br />The expense of specialty drugs is also mentioned as a challenge, with issues such as prior authorizations, timing challenges, and the anxiety patients may have about stopping the drugs. Pediatric physicians need to anticipate these challenges and help patients and families navigate them.<br /><br />No-shows for appointments are mentioned as an issue, with causes including insurance verification issues, forgetting about the appointment, transportation problems, and difficulties finding the new location. It is important for clinics to address these issues to ensure patients receive the necessary care.<br /><br />Communication can also be a challenge as patients and families may not be familiar with the communication methods used in adult clinics. The staff's understanding of rare diseases may also be a challenge, and patients may become frustrated if they cannot reach the correct people.<br /><br />Cultural differences between pediatric and adult care settings can cause intimidation, hesitancy, and anxiety for patients. Additionally, the involvement of multiple specialists, multiple locations, and multiple referrals can compound these concerns.<br /><br />Establishing care with a new primary care physician (PCP) can be challenging, particularly if the patient has a rare disease with high needs. In rare instances, there may even be a refusal to establish care.<br /><br />To address these challenges, the document suggests bypassing regular scheduling procedures and establishing appointment times during a pediatric clinic visit. Quarterly joint transition clinics involving both adult and pediatric care providers can also be helpful. Additionally, open communication and building interpersonal relationships are emphasized.<br /><br />Overall, this document highlights the importance of anticipating and addressing the potential pitfalls and challenges associated with transitioning a patient from pediatric to adult care.

Keywords

transitioning patient

pediatric care

adult care

insurance changes

specialty drugs

no-shows for appointments

communication methods

rare diseases

cultural differences

primary care physician