Pediatric healthcare hospital-to-home transition: A scoping review

Abstract

Pediatric transitions significantly impact continuity of care and the well-being of children and their families. Poorly managed transitions may lead to hospital readmissions, medication errors, and caregiver distress, highlighting a critical need for evidence-based improvements. This scoping review identifies key challenges in pediatric hospital-to-home transitions, maps existing literature gaps, and proposes research priorities with actionable strategies for improvement. We analyzed studies on transition difficulties, intervention effectiveness, and the role of emerging technologies such as telemedicine. The review also explored caregiver perspectives and experiences, which are critical for successful transitions. Key challenges include suboptimal treatment adherence, inadequate caregiver understanding of discharge instructions, and unequal access to follow-up care. Despite recent progress, significant gaps remain in effectively implementing solutions across diverse populations and socioeconomic contexts. Research priorities involve integrating telemedicine into transition protocols, improving caregiver education, and ensuring equitable access to post-discharge resources. Addressing these challenges requires adaptable, evidence-based interventions to improve care transitions. Prioritizing these efforts can achieve safer and more effective pediatric hospital-to-home transitions, ultimately improving outcomes for children and their families.