Episode Details

Turning 18 doesn’t mean that a young person is suddenly ready to manage a lifelong illness alone. Between 25 and 75 percent of young people with rheumatic diseases experience a gap in care or are lost to follow-up after moving into the adult system — even though most will require ongoing treatment and monitoring.

Join pediatric rheumatologist Dr. Michelle Batthish as she chats with our hosts Dr. Janet Pope and Dr. Daniel Ennis about why transition should be a gradual process rather than a single transfer of care.

They explore how clinicians can assess readiness, help patients become more independent with appointments and medications, and support parents as their role changes. They also discuss young-adult rheumatology (YARD) clinics, the reasons patients are lost to follow-up, and the importance of addressing mental health, relationships, and the other pressures facing young adults.

Dr. Michelle Batthish is a pediatric rheumatologist at McMaster Children’s Hospital and associate professor of pediatrics at McMaster University. She is a CanChild scientist and chairs the Canadian Rheumatology Association’s Transition Working Group. Her research focuses on healthcare transition and quality improvement in pediatric rheumatology.

Dr. Daniel Ennis is a rheumatologist and clinical faculty member in the Division of Rheumatology at the University of British Columbia.

Dr. Janet Pope is a professor of medicine at Western University and division head of rheumatology at St. Joseph’s Health Care London. Her research focuses on systemic sclerosis, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

Around The Rheum is produced by the CRA Communications Committee. A special thank you to the podcast team, Dr. Dax G. Rumsey (CRA Communications Committee Chair), Dr. Daniel Ennis (Host), Dr. Janet Pope (Host), David McGuffin of ExploreProductions.ca and Erin Stewart (CRA) for leading production.

Our theme music was composed by Aaron Fontwell.

For more on the work of the Canadian Rheumatology Association, visit rheum.ca