Transitioning to Adult Care for IBD

September 15, 2021

Learn about the process of transitioning from pediatric to adult care, why it's important, how to prepare yourself for the transition, the differences in practice, as well as what the common barriers are.

Panel Members:

Dr. Nancy Fu, MD, FRCPC, is a Gastroenterologist and an Assistant Clinical Professor at Richmond General Hospital in British Columbia. Dr. Fu’s research interests include IBD adolescent transition (strategies, resources and outcomes), infections in IBD patients (detection, complications and prevention), and program implementation and utilization.

Austin Haasz learned that he had Crohn’s disease after a two-week stay at The Hospital for Sick Children, and receiving the diagnosis reaffirmed his decision to pursue a career in medicine. In fact, he’s striving to become a gastroenterologist. His interest in the field and desire to support young adults motivated Austin to become a patient partner for a project led by Dr. Dean Tripp at Queen’s University that investigates the relationship between mental health and IBD in adolescents. While staying on top of coursework for his undergraduate degree in health sciences and biology at Western University, Austin also supports fellow mustangs as a member of the student engagement and advocacy committee. His impact extends beyond the halls of Western as he took the initiative to establish the Young Adult Community for Crohn’s and Colitis to empower youth as they transition to adult care and sits on the committee for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada’s Young Adult Series.

Moderator:

Peter Dobranowski was 15 when he was diagnosed with Crohn's disease, which was later rediagnosed as ulcerative colitis. A severe flare-up caused him to withdraw from his first year of university, and left him with hardships no one else shared - at least that he knew of. Luckily, Peter achieved remission, completed a BSc in Nutrition and MSc in Experimental Medicine, and he's currently completing a PhD in Microbiology and Immunology, studying new treatments for IBD. Peter thinks Crohn's and Colitis Canada gave him a way to fight back against IBD, connecting him with researchers and volunteers with a united goal. He feels great pleasure helping facilitate the Young Adult Series because he went through the transition stage alone, and he doesn't want you to have to.

Quick FactFaits en bref

Canada has among the highest incidence rates of Crohn's and colitis in the world.
1 in 140 Canadians lives with Crohn’s or colitis.
Families new to Canada are developing these diseases for the first time.
Incidence of Crohn’s in Canadian kids under 10 has doubled since 1995.
People are most commonly diagnosed before age 30.

Young Adult Series