Transition of pediatric to adult care in inflammatory bowel disease: Is it as easy as 1, 2, 3?

Core Tip

Core tip: The process of transition of a young adult with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) to adult care should be well coordinated and incorporate all key players to ensure proper collaboration and avoid interruption in care. An early, regular assessment of the adolescent readiness for transition is important. The adolescent patient should be seen without the parent or caregivers in order to build self-reliance. Pediatric gastroenterologists need to discuss and introduce the concept of transition with the patient and family early and identify adult gastroenterologists with unique interests in young adults with IBD. The adult gastroenterologist should be prepared for the transition with advanced communication with the referring pediatric team, consider further training in adolescent health, and review health priorities and targets of care early with the young adult.