• J E McDonagh, T R Southwood, K L Shaw, and Bristish Paediatric Rheumatology Group.
• Institute of Child Health, Division of Reproductive and Child Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK. j.e.mcdonagh@bham.ac.uk
• Rheumatology (Oxford). 2004 Jun 1;43(6):737-43.

ObjectivesTo determine the perceived education and training needs of health professionals involved in transitional care for adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).MethodsTwo distinct questionnaires to identify transitional issues in JIA were distributed to key health professionals (n = 908) and clinical personnel involved in the implementation of a transitional care programme (n = 22).ResultsThe first survey was completed by 263 professionals. Education needs were reported by 114 (43%) of health professionals. Transition issues and informational resources were the most frequently reported areas of need. The second survey was completed by 22 clinical personnel who rated 'lack of training', 'lack of teaching materials geared towards adolescents' and 'limited clinic time' as the main barriers to providing developmentally appropriate care to adolescents.ConclusionUnmet education and training needs of health care professionals exist in key areas of transitional care and provide useful directions for the development of future training programmes.

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