Table 2.

Critical milestones for adolescents/young adults before transfer to adult care

Describe original cause of their organ failure/need for transplant

Long- and short-term implications of transplant condition on overall health (infections, cancer surveillance, vocational aspirations)

Effect of illness on sexuality and reproductive health

Sense of responsibility for their own health care

Capacity to provide most self-care independently

Expressed readiness to move into adulthood

Ownership of medical information in a portable accessible summary

This list of critical milestones may be used during the preparatory phase of transition to assess readiness for transfer to adult care. Adapted from refs. 98 and 105.