Between childhood and adulthood, there often exists a difficult period of coming of age. This phase frequently represents a significant challenge for adolescents and young adults at the physical, psychological, and social level. Having trouble with adolescence itself it puts an extra weight on young people with chronic rheumatic diseases. Thus, medical and interpersonal support can be multifaceted. In light of this, support from an interprofessional team in the form of a specialist transition clinic has proven to be of great value. In the outpatient clinic established at the Inselspital Bern (Bern University Hospital), specialists in pediatric and adult rheumatology work together with a team of nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers, and psychologists, who are called in on an individual-requirement basis. All personnel involved in the care of these young patients should understand that a rheumatic disease developing in childhood normally progresses differently than it does if first developed during adulthood.
Keywords: Adolescent health; Chronic disease; Juvenile idiopathic arthritis; Pregnancy; Systemic lupus erythematosus.