Consensus on transition care for juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a Delphi study with youth, caregivers, and health professionals

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BACKGROUND: The field of transitional care for chronic conditions in adolescents, notably juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), is rapidly growing. Transitioning these patients to adult healthcare systems presents significant challenges in practical implementation. Consequently, it would be appropriate for each country to develop a transition program tailored to its specific infrastructure. To pursue this goal, a Delphi study was conducted to identify the key components of transitional care in JIA. METHODS: Three panels and two rounds were held consisting of adolescents and young adults, parents, and clinicians (pediatric or adult rheumatologists). As a result, feedback on acceptance of the key statements of transitional care was obtained using the Delphi method. RESULTS: Out of 102 contacted, 88 (86.3%) participants responded to the Round 1 survey, which included 48 clinicians, 20 youths, and 20 parents. In Round 2, the number of clinicians dropped to 29, while the number of youths and parents remained constant. Based on expert opinions, 29 statements were selected for the first round. Statements that received ≥ 70% approval in the first round advanced to the next round. Sixteen statements did not achieve ≥ 70% approval. Of the remaining, 12 were reviewed in the second round, while four were excluded. CONCLUSION: Although consensus has been reached on the basic transitional care issues for JIA patients, several issues still need to be agreed upon. Acceptance and applicability of the final 20-item checklist in clinical practice are critical for advancing JIA transition care in Turkey.