UC Davis Transitional Care Program for Young Adults with Urologic Conditions

The UC Davis Transitional Care Urology Program is a joint effort between UC Davis Pediatric and Adult Urology, together with Shriners Hospital for Children to understand and care for young adults with congenital urologic conditions that will require long-term urologic care. Our multidisciplinary team includes specialists in voiding dysfunction, sexual medicine, infertility, men's health, urogenital reconstruction, urinary stone disease, and general and pediatric urology who are dedicated to treating and preventing disease in this unique population. We collaborate with experts in physical medicine and rehabilitation, neurosurgery, internal medicine, gynecology and psychology and social work, to ensure that the transition to adult medical care is seamless and comfortable while fostering independence.

Dr. Jennifer Rothschild is an adult genitourinary reconstructive urologist and Dr. Eric Kurzrock is a pediatric genitourinary reconstructive urologist, and they are the directors of this unique program. Our program cares for the whole person, from advanced surgical and medical treatments to nutrition, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and methods to maintain a healthy and independent life. The UC Davis Transitional Care Urology Program focuses on effective transition plans for adolescents who have been cared for in pediatric clinics and are moving into adulthood.

Congenital defects affect the urinary tract more commonly than any other organ system. The common urologic conditions that affect multiple organs are: spina bifida (myelomeningocele), exstrophy-epispadias complex, and cloacal malformations. Such conditions are often accompanied by long-standing problems with bladder and bowel storage and/or emptying – which can severely affect one's social life and overall quality of life. The transition of care of such patients from the pediatric urologist to the adult urologist in a manner that provides continuity of care with excellent coordination and communication between all providers and patients is the direct focus of the UC Davis Transitional Care Urology Program. Our goal is to maximize quality of life and independent living for adults who are born with congenital urologic conditions.

Goal:
To provide comprehensive long-term follow up and healthcare for patients with congenital urologic conditions.

Type of patients seen:

• Spina bifida
• Neurogenic bladder
• Neurogenic bowel
• Bladder exstrophy or epispadias
• Intersex or disorders of sex development
• Cloacal anomalies
• Vesicoureteral reflux
• Hypospadias
• Prune belly syndrome
• Posterior Urethral valves
• Urologic cancers diagnosed in childhood
• Any other long-term urologic problem diagnosed in childhood

Coordination of care:

All patients who are new to the transitional clinic will have their case discussed by a multi-disciplinary group of pediatric and adult urologists, PM&R physicians, and prior care providers from Shriners Children’s Hospital in a Transitional Care Case Conference before being seen in adult urology clinic. Follow-up will be with an adult urologist focused on providing transitional urologic care, with involvement of a pediatric urologist as needed. Coordination of care will also be met with specialists within the PM&R and neurosurgery departments.