Objective: To compare the characteristics and use of the health care system of healthy youths who discussed transition to adult health care with their pediatrician with those who did not.
Study design: Data were drawn from the fourth wave of the GenerationFRee study (2018- 2019) conducted in the eleven post-mandatory schools of the canton of Fribourg, Switzerland. The sample consisted of 931 young people (mean age 19.4). Participants were categorized into three groups: those who had discussed transition with their pediatrician (n=176; 19%), those who had not discussed it (n=286; 31%) and those who did not know (n=469; 50%). Analyses were stratified by gender through bivariate analysis and post-hoc tests with a Bonferroni-type adjustment.
Results: The majority of participants did not know whether or not they had discussed transition. Those having discussed transition were more likely to have a primary care provider that was more often chosen by referral from the pediatrician. Girls with a below average socioeconomic status and boys with advanced puberty onset were more likely to have discussed transition.
Conclusion: Our results show that youths are not well informed about the transition process. However, youths who have discussed transition appear to be more involved in the health care system as they are more likely to have a primary care provider. In order to avoid discontinuity of care, professionals should approach transition in a systematic way with all their patients.