Cardiology Adolescent Care Transition Program
As teens with congenital heart disease (CHD) enter adulthood and transition from pediatric to adult care, it’s important that they have the tools they need to be active participants in their health care.
Our adolescent care transition program, part of the Adult Congenital Heart Disease program at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida, works with teens to help them feel ready to make the transition to adult care.
We work closely with patients, their families, and pediatricians and/or pediatric cardiologists to help them build the skills they need to confidently make this transition.
How the Program Works
The program provides education and support to teens and their families. Topics covered in the program include:
Key information about your medical condition you should know, including:
- The name of your condition
- Your medication names and dosage
- How to manage your medications
- How to understand and ask questions about test results
- When to seek urgent/emergency care
- Taking responsibility for making your own appointments with your providers and how to self-report your medical history to your provider without relying on parents/caregivers
- Understanding your health insurance
- Importance of a proper diet, appropriate exercise regimen and following your medication regimen
- Understanding how drugs, alcohol and smoking can impact your condition
- Understanding the impact of your health care on sexuality/relationships and fertility
- Your plans after high school and how job and career choices may impact your health
We work closely with families on how they can support their child and foster greater independence and self-confidence. We can also assist teens in finding appropriate adult providers.
Why Choose Johns Hopkins All Children’s
The adolescent care transition program is part of the hospital’s Adult Congenital Heart Disease program, which provides comprehensive care to adults with the full range of congenital heart defects, from simple to complex. Our providers have special expertise in how CHD can impact a patient throughout his or her life.
Patients enrolled in our program continue to see their own pediatrician and/or pediatric cardiologist for their care, while we provide education and support. We work directly with the primary providers for any concerns that may arise while the teen is taking part in the program, like neurodevelopmental concerns or mental health concerns like anxiety about their condition.
Transition Resources
Johns Hopkins All Children’s Teen Care Transition Curriculum: This curriculum outlines all of the information our team will review with your child and what they can do to become active participants in their own health care. See the curriculum.
Transition Readiness Checklists: These checklists provide an overview of what both teens and parents should know about transitioning to adult care.
Contact Us and Location Information
Give us a call
Johns Hopkins All Children’s Outpatient Care Center
