Young people and developmentally appropriate transitional care in rheumatology

Young people are distinctly different from children and adults and as such require developmentally appropriate rheumatology services to meet their medical and psychosocial needs. Adolescent and young adult development continues into the third decade of life and both health and illness experienced during this vulnerable time significantly affect the potential and quality of life of young people. Effective transitional care in rheumatology is underpinned by the core principles of adolescent medicine, self-management of long-term conditions, and a youth-friendly rheumatology service including staff trained in adolescent and young adult (AYA) health