We then turn our attention to the psychology of the adolescent mind in chapter 4 [5], followed
by a chapter on adherence to treatments in adolescents [6].
The title of chapter 4 – “I just want to get on with my life” – is a quote from a young adult
patient, which perfectly expresses the desire for normality in what are immensely challenging
years of cognitive and emotional development and the exploration of an individual’s roles and
responsibilities within society. STEWART-KNIGHT and CARROLL [5] summarise key adolescent
psychology concepts and literature, with a focus on helping medical professionals in practice
with teenage respiratory patients who are transitioning from paediatric to adult services.
We felt it critical, at this point, to cover treatment adherence. Chapter 5 discusses the barriers
young adults may face, resulting in non-adherence to treatment and, consequently, poor health
outcome [6]. The chapter also reviews behavioural strategies and individualised patient-centric
interventions to improve it.
Next we consider individual respiratory diseases, with chapters on sleep and neuromuscular
disorders [7–9], pulmonary vascular diseases [10], asthma [11], CF [12] and non-CF
bronchiectasis [13].
The transition to adult services can be particularly daunting for AYA with sleep and ventilatory
disorders, as they move away from multidisciplinary teams who may have been handling their
care for many years to the often seemingly impersonal world of adult medicine. In chapter 7,
TAN and SIMONDS [8] discuss the challenges of the management of AYA with neuromuscular
and ventilatory disorders, whilst in chapter 6, VERHULST et al. [7] examine the changing
pathophysiology of sleep disordered breathing in this population. The sleep perspective is
further considered, as RIHA et al. [9] look at how the care of AYA with narcolepsy and other
hypersomnias evolves as they move into adult clinics.
Pulmonary hypertension and congenital heart disease is an important area to highlight. DOUGLAS
and MARINO [10] discuss the particular considerations of treating adolescents with pulmonary
hypertension and the need for a holistic transition to adult care.
A chapter on transition in CF also felt timely, given the dramatic changes brought about by the
advent of transformative CF transmembrane conductance regulator modulator therapies.
CONNETT [12] highlights how transition in CF care can be seen as a model for other respiratory
conditions and how this is evolving due to the improved health of those with CF.
We felt it important to include a chapter on bronchiectasis that is not due to CF. Chapter 10
comprehensively identifies the needs of patients whose disease can result from a diverse range
of pathologies [13].
Asthma is the most prevalent chronic respiratory disease both in children and adults [14].
Chapter 12 by SÁNCHEZ-GARCÍA et al. [11] discusses the challenges of adolescent asthma,
longitudinal phenotypes, treatments and the opportunities of eHealth and medical artificial
intelligence to support AYA during the transition process.
The adolescent voice holds profound importance in shaping policies and interventions that
directly impact their lives. Young people’s unique perspectives, experiences and insights are
invaluable for understanding their needs and preferences in healthcare, education and society.
We conclude with a chapter on the patient perspective of the transition between paediatric and
x https://doi.org/10.1183/2312508X.10008624
by a chapter on adherence to treatments in adolescents [6].
The title of chapter 4 – “I just want to get on with my life” – is a quote from a young adult
patient, which perfectly expresses the desire for normality in what are immensely challenging
years of cognitive and emotional development and the exploration of an individual’s roles and
responsibilities within society. STEWART-KNIGHT and CARROLL [5] summarise key adolescent
psychology concepts and literature, with a focus on helping medical professionals in practice
with teenage respiratory patients who are transitioning from paediatric to adult services.
We felt it critical, at this point, to cover treatment adherence. Chapter 5 discusses the barriers
young adults may face, resulting in non-adherence to treatment and, consequently, poor health
outcome [6]. The chapter also reviews behavioural strategies and individualised patient-centric
interventions to improve it.
Next we consider individual respiratory diseases, with chapters on sleep and neuromuscular
disorders [7–9], pulmonary vascular diseases [10], asthma [11], CF [12] and non-CF
bronchiectasis [13].
The transition to adult services can be particularly daunting for AYA with sleep and ventilatory
disorders, as they move away from multidisciplinary teams who may have been handling their
care for many years to the often seemingly impersonal world of adult medicine. In chapter 7,
TAN and SIMONDS [8] discuss the challenges of the management of AYA with neuromuscular
and ventilatory disorders, whilst in chapter 6, VERHULST et al. [7] examine the changing
pathophysiology of sleep disordered breathing in this population. The sleep perspective is
further considered, as RIHA et al. [9] look at how the care of AYA with narcolepsy and other
hypersomnias evolves as they move into adult clinics.
Pulmonary hypertension and congenital heart disease is an important area to highlight. DOUGLAS
and MARINO [10] discuss the particular considerations of treating adolescents with pulmonary
hypertension and the need for a holistic transition to adult care.
A chapter on transition in CF also felt timely, given the dramatic changes brought about by the
advent of transformative CF transmembrane conductance regulator modulator therapies.
CONNETT [12] highlights how transition in CF care can be seen as a model for other respiratory
conditions and how this is evolving due to the improved health of those with CF.
We felt it important to include a chapter on bronchiectasis that is not due to CF. Chapter 10
comprehensively identifies the needs of patients whose disease can result from a diverse range
of pathologies [13].
Asthma is the most prevalent chronic respiratory disease both in children and adults [14].
Chapter 12 by SÁNCHEZ-GARCÍA et al. [11] discusses the challenges of adolescent asthma,
longitudinal phenotypes, treatments and the opportunities of eHealth and medical artificial
intelligence to support AYA during the transition process.
The adolescent voice holds profound importance in shaping policies and interventions that
directly impact their lives. Young people’s unique perspectives, experiences and insights are
invaluable for understanding their needs and preferences in healthcare, education and society.
We conclude with a chapter on the patient perspective of the transition between paediatric and
x https://doi.org/10.1183/2312508X.10008624