Current practice and barriers for transition of care (TOC) in pediatric surgery: perspectives of adult surgeons from different subspecialties.

INTRODUCTION

The advancements in neonatal resuscitation and surgical care have enabled children with congenital abnormalities to receive corrective surgeries and achieve lifespans well into adulthood. These patients may require long-term follow-up as they continue to have risks of developing sequelae from their original diseases or surgical interventions.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to investigate the current practice and barriers to the transition of care (TOC) from the perspectives of adult surgeons.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted with purposive sampling of adult surgeons from different subspecialties. An online self-administered questionnaire was distributed.

RESULTS

There were 60 respondents. 62% of the respondents had experience managing referrals for continuation of care or complications in patients with congenital abnormalities. 38% of the respondents believed that TOC should be implemented when patients reached ages 17-18 years. 93% of the respondents agreed that a proper TOC model would greatly benefit patient care, and 97% asserted the need to develop TOC pathways in Malaysia. The absence of a proper guideline was the greatest barrier to a smooth TOC.

CONCLUSION

This study offered insights into the obstacles to TOC based on the perspectives and experiences of adult surgeons who participated. While not exhaustive, our study provided a better understanding of the challenges in developing the appropriate referral pathways for the continued care of these patients.