Quick poll for all you
teenagers and young adults…Yes I am talking to you! Who knows their primary
care provider’s (PCP) name? The name of the office that they work at? What
about their phone number? Do you know what to do and who to call if you are
sick?
If you weren’t able to
answer some (or any) of these questions you are not alone. Nationally, only 15%
of youth with and without special health care needs
receive an ‘ideal’ transition from pediatric to adult care. While most of us
would agree that we don’t suddenly wake up one morning and become adults,
legally-speaking, we do.
As I think back to my
own transition (many years ago), I recall reaching a point where I felt very
out of place surrounded by the toddlers and toys in the waiting room. My
transition was more of a drift away from pediatric care, with no real entrance
into an adult PCP. I’m embarrassed to admit this, but it was many years before
I became established with a PCP. And I’m not alone— local data shows that young
adults (yes, you!) aren’t getting annual wellness visits, which are key to
staying healthy now and preventing chronic diseases later.
If I knew then what I
know now, I would have:
·
Talked with my pediatrician about when I
should be transitioning to an adult doctor, and known what to ask
(and what my parents should have been asking).
·
Known the name of my PCP and their
office as well as their phone number, hours, policies AND what to do when I was
sick (who should I have called? When should I have gone to the ER? Urgent
Care?).
·
Understood how important
annual wellness visits are, even if you’re healthy (and I would have never
missed a visit).
·
Pulled all of my health information (conditions
or diagnoses, medications, allergies, etc.) together in one spot with other
important documents.
Hind sight is 20/20
right? But don’t worry, the Clinton
County Health Department and the Adirondacks ACO are partnering with
pediatric, family and adult medical providers to
improve this transition period and empower you to take charge of your
health! If you have already transitioned to adult care, congratulations! If
not, it’s not too late to get started.
Ask your pediatrician to help you find an adult doctor and what your next steps
should be.
Welcome to adulthood!
You will now be excited about a new vacuum…don’t say I didn’t warn you J
Jennifer
Trudeau, RN
Principal
Public Health Educator
Health
Planning & Promotion
Clinton
County Health Department
