Transitional Medicine

Med-peds physicians have a unique niche in being well trained to treat both adults and children.

Our program has developed an elective where residents in combined internal medicine-pediatrics, internal medicine or pediatrics can spend the month learning about transitioning adult survivors of childhood diseases such as cystic fibrosis, spina bifida, sickle cell, childhood cancers, college health and developmental disabilities.

• to learn appropriate health care for both chronological and developmental age, especially primary health care for individuals with childhood-acquired chronic conditions
• to learn common health concern for the adolescent and young adult populations such as growth and development, sexuality, mood and other mental disorders, substance abuse, and other health promoting and damaging behaviors
• to learn how successful transition can help patients develop autonomy, increase personal responsibility and facilitate self-reliance
• to learn individualized methods of transition
• to advocate for each patient in coordinating primary health care, specialty health care, and ancillary health services such as psychosocial, educational and vocational services
• supervise and teach medical residents regarding aspects of transitional care that are necessary to the practice of general internal medicine and pediatrics

Topics which a general internist or pediatrician need to be familiar with include:

• adolescent health
• college health
• cystic fibrosis
• developmental disabilities
• neuromuscular disorders
  
• Sickle Cell Disease
  
• spina bifida
  
• survivors of childhood cancer

• PGY-2, PGY-3 or PGY-4

4 weeks

• adult survivors of pediatric diseases
• adolescents
• college-aged adults
• patients of all ages with physical and intellectual disabilities