“Transition” is the active process of a purposeful, planned movement from child-centered to adult-centered care.This process includes the transition of responsibility for health-related tasks from parent to patient, as well as preparation for transfer to an adult health care system.

In the transition phase, your treatment transfers from pediatric to adult care. Processes can differ between countries and even between cities. Usually transition happens when a patient is 16-18 years old. Patients are guided to adult care’s habits and independence. After you are transferred to adult care, you are responsible for your own treatment, appointments and medications. Your doctor may not be the same you are used to in a pediatric clinic. Goal of a process is that the patient is completely independent. That doesn’t mean that the patient is completely alone. Team of treatment is always there to give you information and help.

Attention to this period of transition is important knowing the risk of decreased adherence to medications and loss to follow-up. A good physician–patient relationship with agreement on goals of therapy is important for medication adherence, and by the very nature of the transition process this relationship must be disrupted and a new one formed.

It is important for providers to keep in mind that IBD can negatively affect a patient’s educational experience and success, which can in return have a significant effect on the transition process. Adolescents who suffer from chronic conditions often have poorer school function and more absences than healthy children, which can alter their educational path and trajectory.