Transitioning to Adult Care
Oberlin Pediatrics Transition Policy
Oberlin Pediatrics is committed to helping our patients make a smooth Transition from pediatric to adult health care. This process involves working with young adults, and their families to prepare for the change from a "pediatric" model of care (where parents make most decisions) to an "adult" model of care where the young adult takes full responsibility for their health and decisions. This means that we will begin to spend time during a visit with the teen without the parent present in order to assist them in setting health priorities and supporting them in becoming more independent with their own health care. Physicians may start this process around age 14 in order to establish confidentiality guidelines with parents and teenagers.
At age 18, young adults become adults. We respect that many of our young adult patients choose to continue to involve their families in health care decisions. Only with the young adult's consent will we be able to discuss any personal health information with family members. If the young adult has a condition that prevents him/her from making health care decisions, we encourage parents/caregivers to consider options for supported decision-making.
We will collaborate with young adults and their families regarding the age for transferring to an adult provider and recommend that this transfer occurs before age 23 or when working full time, military or finished with schooling. A patient may be transferred earlier than age 23 if the physician deems health issues would be better cared for by an adult provider. We will assist with this transfer process, including helping to identify an adult provider, sending medical records, and communicating with the adult provider about the unique needs of our patients when necessary.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us.
ORP Recommended Adult Providers
Choosing a Primary Care Physician
Before choosing your next Primary Care Physician, here are some factors to consider.
Make sure that your insurance plan covers the physician/group.
You can usually look on the website for your insurance plan for a list of "in network providers." It saves a lot of money to use providers that are in-network with your insurance.
Where will you be living most of the time? Can you use Student Health at college?
Most medium and large colleges have a Student Health Center. These Health Centers provide the care that most college students usually need: acute visits for illness, sports medicine, women's health, dermatology, travel medicine, and mental health services including depression and ADHD management. Smaller colleges & community colleges usually don't have a Student Health Center. Of course, young adults that have joined the work force out of high school need an adult-oriented Primary Care Doctor.
Is there a hospital or medical group that has been a big part of your specialty care?
Most specialty care physicians are not hospital-owned, so it's not important then if your next physician's group is independent or hospital-associated. But if you have had a lot of medical visits with specialists that are associated with one hospital system (ex. Duke, UNC, Wake Med) then you may find it easier to transfer to specialist doctors and also a new Primary Care Physician that is associated with that hospital system. For example, if you've had lots of visits through the years at Duke, then your records will transfer easier from that specialist to Duke Primary Care rather than Wake Med Primary Care.
How is care from an adult physician different than that from my pediatrician?
Pediatricians are accustomed to interacting with the child from the time of birth through graduation AND the parents, for most medical situations. The adult-modeled new physician will expect the young adult patient to independently:
- Keep appointments and cancel them in advance, per the office policy.
- Tell the physician the current symptoms, including duration of symptoms, and health history.
- Follow a treatment plan that is developed with the physician.
- Know what is covered by your insurance plan.
Primary Care Provider Information
Student Health Centers
NC State University
Campus Health at NC State
919-966-2281
Eastern Carolina University
ECU Student Health Services
252-328-6841
UNC-Charlotte
UNC-Charlotte Student Health Center
704-687-8622
UNC-Greensboro
UNC-Greensboro Student Health Center
336-334-5340
Appalachian State University
M.S. Shook Student Health Service
828-262-3100
Duke University
Duke Student Health
919-681-9355
UNC-Wilmington
UNCW Student Health Center
910-962-3280
Western Carolina University
WCU Student Health Services
828-227-7640
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
The Alvin V. Blount Jr. Student Health Center
336-334-7880
Raleigh Primary Care Providers
Duke Primary Care Blue Ridge
3633 Harden Rd
Suite 100
Raleigh, NC 27607-3369
919-842-3925
Duke Primary Care Brier Creek
10208 Cerny St
Suite 210
Raleigh, NC 27617-7884
919-535-4625
Duke Primary Care Butner-Creedmoor
2503 East Lyon Station Rd
Creedmoor, NC 27522-9112
919-421-4408
WakeMed Primary Care Offices
- Primary Care - Apex
- Primary Care - Brier Creek
- Primary Care - Downtown Raleigh
- Primary Care - Forestville Crossing
- Primary Care - Fuquay-Varina
- Primary Care - Garner
- Primary Care - Knightdale
- Primary Care - Oberlin
UNC Health Primary Care
- Boylan Healthcare - North Hills
- Garner Family Practice
- UNC Family Medicine at Knightdale (REX Healthcare of Knightdale)
- UNC Family Medicine at Wakefield (REX Healthcare at Wakefield)
- UNC Primary Care at Cary (REX Healthcare of Cary)
- UNC Family Medicine & Pediatrics at Holly Springs (REX Healthcare of Holly Springs)
- UNC Family Medicine & Pediatrics at Panther Creek (UNC Health Care Panther Creek)
- UNC Internal Medicine at White Oak (REX Healthcare of Garner)
Independent Primary Care Practices
Raleigh Medical Group
3100 Blue Ridge Road, Suite 100 & 300, Raleigh, NC 27612
919-781-7500
Wake Internal Medicine Consultants
3521 Haworth Drive, Raleigh NC 27609
919-782-1806
Raleigh Family Practice
4414 Lake Boone Trail, Suite 502, Raleigh, NC
919-875-0539
Capital Family Medicine
1422 East Millbrook Road, Raleigh, NC 27609
919-878-8596
10831 Forest Pines Dr, #104, Raleigh, NC 27614
919-488-8066
908 West Williams St, Apex, NC 27502
919-267-9298
Advance Care
815 Oberlin Road, Suite 200, Raleigh, NC 27605
919-322-4722