Transitioning to an Adult GI Provider
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.
The app has the following main functionalities:
Find a doctor in your area
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.
Show route
One tap of a button shows the route on a map to the doctor’s address.
Liked and recommended
Find out if other patients like the doctor, and if a doctor is recommended by other doctors.
Appointments
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.
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.
Information and References
More information about living with inflammatory bowel disease, medications, and nutrition is readily available in Doc4me making it a perfect companion for your transition.
IBDU: A site for young adults transitioning to college and independent living
Developed by the NASPGHAN Foundation and the Starlight Children’s Foundation, IBDU is a resource for young adults with IBD. Even though you’ve grown up with Crohn’s disease or colitis, you’re now making a transition to a world of going to college with IBD or living on your own with IBD and working with IBD.
Featured Resources
PDF Downloads
Audio
Resources
In this book, medical experts explain all you need to know about IBD and answer important questions, including:
- What are inflammatory bowel diseases, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis? • Is there a cure for IBD?
- How is IBD going to affect my child’s daily life?
- Will my child’s diet change?
- Can my child still play sports?
- Will my child need surgery?
- What are the side effects of commonly prescribed medications?
- What challenges may my child face at school and socially, especially as he or she grows older?
To purchase: Please go to the Johns Hopkins Press Website.
Supporters
Educational support for the NASPGHAN Foundation’s Pediatric IBD Education Campaign was provided by major sponsors P&G Pharmaceuticals, Shire, UCB Inc. and Centocor, Inc. Additional support for the campaign was provided by Prometheus Therapeutics and Diagnostics and Abbott.
