With the advent of innovative technologies and medical advances, each year more than a half million chronically ill youth in the adolescent/young adult (AYA) group cross the threshold into adulthood. Successful transition of AYA with sickle cell disease (SCD) from pediatric to adult care is an inconsistent process. Often, the transition experience consists of an abrupt transfer, which leaves the adolescent unprepared for the move to adult care. Because these chronically ill adolescents are at risk of developing severe medical complications, obstacles that impede transition must be identified.

This study explored concerns, feelings, and expectations about transition from pediatric to adult health care among the AYA with SCD. Although overall results did not provide support for differences by age in either AYA adolescent or young adult groups, both groups had overall concerns regarding transition and agreed that a transition program is necessary. This is an especially vulnerable population at the imperfect interface between pediatric and adult medical care, suggesting that a program facilitating the transition through high-quality medical care and systematic follow-up to improve care is essential.