Applying a Developmental-Ecological Framework to Sickle Cell Disease Transition

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia and Emory UniversityTransitioning from pediatric to adult care is a challenging process for adolescents withsickle cell disease (SCD). There is a critical need for well-designed and practicallyadaptable SCD transition programs that are compatible within the social and culturalcontext of the individual. The purpose of this article is to outline the design of atheoretically informed intervention to facilitate successful transition for adolescents andyoung adults (AYAs) diagnosed with SCD. The authors propose and describe the useof a developmental–ecological framework in creating and implementing the Sickle CellDisease–Age Based Curriculum for Transition (SCD-ABC). The SCD-ABC Transitionprogram’s framework begins at birth with the parent–caregiver and spans throughouta child’s development into young adulthood. This program involves a multidisciplinaryteam approach with collaboration from pediatric and adult medical providers, familyand peers, social services, the community, and adult mentors living with SCD. The goalof this program was to foster increased disease knowledge and self-efficacy for AYAs