Transitioning with IBD

As a teenager, you will be expected to begin taking more and more responsibility for your own care and gradually moving from dependence on your parents and caregivers to independently managing your disease. As a patient you should learn as much as you can about your condition and health care needs. You should try to do as much as you can to manage your disease on your own and actively participate in your health care. The doctors and nurses who provide your care should partner with you in this process. Below are some ideas for helping you manage your healthcare.

The Doc4me app helps adolescents and young adults with inflammatory bowel disease find a doctor who treats adults with inflammatory bowel disease in a specific area. Doc4me also helps young people get ready for their medical visit with their new doctor by knowing what to bring and how to prepare.

Download the free app in the Apple or Google Play stores.

You can easily find adult inflammatory bowel disease doctors in a specific city or ZIP code. The Doc4me app shows you all relevant information for that doctor, such as contact information, phone number, website, various languages spoken by the doctor and which insurances are covered. You can even bookmark doctors for later reference.

One tap of a button shows the route on a map to the doctor’s address.

Find out if other patients like the doctor, and if a doctor is recommended by other doctors.

Note your doctor’s appointments in the calendar and receive reminders for your doctor’s appointments. Doc4me also helps you get ready for doctor’s appointment with an appointment preparation checklist.

Doc4me’s Transition Checklist reminds you of all the things you need to do to prepare for your transition. Once completed, you can print a Medical Information Worksheet that will help you answer questions that your new doctor will ask you.