Transition of the adolescent patient with rheumatic disease: issues to consider.

The goals of pediatric rheumatologists are to ensure the best possible medical, functional, and social outcomes for their patients. Transition from pediatric to adult rheumatology care is a critical component of comprehensive care for adolescents and young adults with rheumatic disease. In the past few years, there has been increasing interest in the transition phase of pediatric rheumatology care and acknowledgment that best-quality services are not available to all patients. Improving transition care for youth with childhood-onset rheumatic diseases requires collaboration between pediatric and adult rheumatologists and between rheumatologists and primary care providers. Providers of transition care must recognize that young adults with rheumatic diseases present complex medical and psychologic needs.