Transitional Care in Anorectal Malformation and Hirschsprung's Disease: A Systematic Review of Challenges and Solutions
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
6-1-2024
Abstract
Background: The literature on transitional care in anorectal malformation (ARM) and Hirschsprung's disease (HD) is diverse and heterogeneous. There is a lack of standards and guidelines speci fic to transitional care in these conditions. We aim to establish and systematically categorize challenges and solutions related to colorectal transition care. Methods: Systematic review of qualitative studies from MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed and Scopus databases (2008-2022) was conducted to identify the challenges and solutions of healthcare transition speci fic to ARM and HD. Thematic analyses are reported with reference to patient, healthcare provider and healthcare system. Results: Sixteen studies from 234 unique articles were included. Fourteen themes related to challenges and solutions, each, are identi fied. Most challenges identi fied are patient related. The key challenges pertain to: (1) patient's lack of understanding of their disorder, resulting in over -reliance on the pediatric surgical team and reluctance towards transitioning to adult services; (2) a lack of education and awareness among adult colorectal surgeons in caring for pediatric colorectal conditions and inadequate communication between pediatric and adult teams; and (3) a lack of structured transition program and joint -clinic to meet the needs of the transitioning patients. The key solutions are: (1) fostering young adult patient's autonomy and independence; (2) conducting joint pediatric -adult transition clinics; and (3) ensuring a structured and coordinated transition program is available using a standardized guideline. Conclusion: A comprehensive framework related to barriers and solutions for pediatric colorectal transition is established to help benchmark care quality of transitional care services. Level of Evidence: IV. Type of Study: Systematic review without meta -analysis. (c) 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Keywords
Anorectal malformation, Hirschsprung, Transition, Challenge, Barrier, Solution
Divisions
fac_med
Funders
Robert Milne Medical Research Endowment Fund
Publication Title
Journal of Pediatric Surgery
Volume
59
Issue
6
Publisher
Elsevier
Publisher Location
1600 JOHN F KENNEDY BOULEVARD, STE 1800, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19103-2899 USA