Zahra Pakbaz, MD, on the Challenges of Hematology Patients Swapping From Pediatric to Adult Programs

Dr. Pakbaz from University of California, Irvine, describes some of the difficulties faced by patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) as they switch from pediatric to adult programs.

Most insurance plans allow hematology patients to stay in a pediatric program up to age 25; however, many patients are not fully prepared to transition to adult programs when they age out, according to Dr. Pakbaz.

She noted patients with SCD may deal with impacted cognition due to medications used to manage chronic pain or previous stroke, and it can be a challenge for these patients to manage their care alone after transitioning from a pediatric program with a patient coordinator and established insurance coverage.

“It’s a little bit hard when you come from that environment to a new adult program where everybody expects you to know everything and do everything yourself,” Dr. Pakbaz explained.

Conversely, obstacles can exist on the provider side. For example, if ancillary staff don’t account for the distinct needs and challenges of adult patients with noncancer blood disorders.

“They have to know [these patients] have needs that other adults don’t because of the kind of diseases they have,” Dr. Pakbaz said.

Overall, Dr. Pakbaz suggested adult programs that work in chronic noncancer blood disorders need resources similar to the pediatric programs from which patients are transitioning.

Related: Zahra Pakbaz, MD; John Strouse, MD, PhD, Discuss Practicing Classical Hematology