The Emerging Adult with Diabetes: Transitioning from Pediatric to Adult Care.

Transfer from pediatric to adult health care is a significant life event for youth with chronic medical conditions. Unfortunately, youth may not be well prepared to navigate the shift in health care services, increasing their risk for loss to follow up and poor health outcomes. This review explores transition in care through the lens of type 1 diabetes, highlighting current practices and guidelines and offering recommendations for future consideration. Limited evidence suggests that transition programs that focus on strategies to prepare youth developmentally and equip the health care system appropriately have positive impact on the hand off of care, and health outcomes. Advanced practice nurses are well positioned to play a key role in helping youth with chronic conditions with the transition process.