Switching from a pediatrician to adult primary care tips for a smooth transition

Newborns, children and teenagers start their health care journey with either a pediatrician or family medicine provider. However, as your kids grow older, it’s essential to know when it’s time to transition to adult primary care. Here's what you need to know to help your child make a smooth transition to adult primary care when it’s time.

When to switch away from a pediatrician

If your child sees a pediatrician initially, they’ll often transition to a family medicine or internal medicine provider anywhere between 18 and 21 years old.

If your child sees a family medicine provider, they do not have to switch.

Adult care: internal medicine vs. family medicine

Both internal medicine and family medicine providers help navigate your well-being throughout different stages of life.

Family medicine providers:

• Can provide maternal care and delivery.
• Manage acute and chronic health care needs.
• Trained for all ages, from newborns to older adults.

Internal medicine providers:

• Do not typically provide maternal care and delivery.
• Specialize in adult medicine only.
• Trained to diagnose and treat a variety of complex chronic conditions.

Choosing between an internal medicine and family medicine provider depends on your personalized needs and preferences.

Difference between primary care providers

Staying healthy from teens into adulthood

Young adults often stop regularly visiting a provider, but this can lead to missed opportunities to create healthy habits and talk about their well-being.

It’s important for teenagers to take responsibility for their own health. This helps them:

• Build a relationship with someone they trust.
• Get in the habit of seeing a primary care provider.
• Learn how to advocate for themselves.

Continue to join visits as long as your teenager is comfortable with it. It’s also important for teens to have a few minutes alone to talk to their providers about any concerns or habits they have.

Parents and teens should talk honestly at home about alcohol, drugs and sex.

Tips for switching to adult primary care

If your child is seeing a pediatrician, eventually they will need to switch to an adult primary care provider. Tips to help with this transition, include:

• Ask your current provider for a referral.
• Check with your insurance for a list of in network providers.
• Go over any medications currently prescribed, including names, doses and why they’re taking them.
• Prepare to transfer any immunization and electronic medical records.
• Search for providers near their location.
• Share with your teens their family medical history like heart disease, behavioral health and cancer.
• Start your search about one year before the switch.

Everyone, regardless of age, should have a primary care provider they visit regularly. Find one near you.