Self-management and health care transition: Trials, tribulations and triumphs

PURPOSE: The purpose of this article is to provide perspectives pertaining to the importance of fostering comprehensive self-management competencies of AEA-SHCN, with attention directed to AEA with spina bifida based upon the Health Care Transition Research Consortium Health Care Transition model. This article is based upon the plenary presentation given at the Spina Bifida 3rd World Congress, entitled, Self-Management and Health Care Transition: Trials, Tribulations and Triumphs. METHOD: A historical perspective of healthcare transition initiatives and best practice guidelines is provided that have influenced the field of research and practice. Relatively scant attention has been directed to the development and refinement of self-management competencies prior to the transfer of care and transition to adulthood. Against this backdrop of the predominant framework of care focused on the transfer of care, a discussion of our team's experience with the provision of healthcare transition services and the complexity of addressing the self-management needs of the adolescents and emerging adults (AEA) with spina bifida served in the Movin' On Up HCT program will be presented. RESULTS: Through our clinical and research healthcare transition experience, insights pertaining to self-management will be presented. CONCLUSION: The acquisition of self-management knowledge and skills is a complex process that extends far beyond learning the fundamental skills of daily condition management.