Transition of care readiness among adolescents with chronic pain between 2021-2022 in a Nationally representative sample

Abstract

Chronic pain impacts 11–33% of children and will continue into adulthood for over half of them. Transition of pain management to adult care is crucial given high risk of interruption of care which is associated with subsequent poor medical, social, and vocational outcomes. Yet the transition experience for these youth is poorly characterized. Using a sample from the 2021 and 2022 National Survey of Children’s Health (conducted by parent report), we aimed to determine the prevalence of transition readiness among adolescents with chronic pain in the U.S. and estimate the association of readiness with biopsychosocial-cultural and health system characteristics. Of the 2584 adolescents aged 14–17 with chronic pain, 23.9% of adolescents met criteria for transition readiness. Using Poisson regression, we determined those more likely to meet criteria were older (PR 1.8 95%CI: 1.3, 2.6), female (PR 1.6 95% CI: 1.2, 2.2), White (Asian PR 0.4, 95% CI: 0.2, 0.9, Multi-racial PR 0.6 95% CI: 0.4, 0.9), and experienced shared decision making (aPR 1.7 95% CI: 1.1, 2.8). Fewer than half met criteria for medical home, effective care coordination, and adequate insurance. Poor mental health emerged as a concern with high levels of anxiety and/or depression (48%) and low levels of flourishing (42%). This is an important first step in demonstrating low transition readiness among adolescents with chronic pain and identifying mental health and healthcare continuity concerns. Future research should incorporate stakeholder perspectives and investigate pain specific factors relevant to transition readiness and investigate how readiness relates to transition outcomes.

Perspective

This article establishes low readiness to transition from pediatric to adult healthcare among adolescents with chronic pain and identifies disparities in readiness. Poor mental health and inadequate healthcare access were identified as factors which may impact transition intervention delivery. These findings can guide development and implementation of a transition intervention.