Impact of a Structured Transition Education Program on Transition Related Knowledge Among Adolescents with Congenital Heart Disease: A Single-Center Quality Improvement Study.

As survival among individuals with congenital heart disease (CHD) improves, effective transition from pediatric to adult care has become increasingly important. We evaluated the impact of a structured transition education program on transition-related knowledge among adolescents with CHD. This single-center quality improvement study enrolled adolescents aged 12-18 years with CHD between February 2025 and April 2026. A baseline survey was administered to cardiology providers at our institution to characterize their current practices. Adolescent participants completed a 22-item Transition-related knowledge assessment survey adapted from the Self-Management and Transition to Adulthood with Treatment [Rx] Questionnaire (STARx) and TRxANSITION tools before and after a structured physician-led educational intervention. Education focused on five domains: CHD knowledge, medication management, healthcare navigation, reproductive health, and psychosocial misconceptions. Participants also received a personalized cardiac passport. Changes in correct responses were analyzed using McNemar's test. Fifty-three of 80 eligible adolescents participated (51% male; median age 15 years). Significant improvements in correct responses were observed in 19 of the 22 survey items, with absolute gains ranging from 21 to 76% points (all p < 0.05). The largest improvements occurred in knowledge of cardiac diagnosis and surgical history, medication management, health insurance navigation, and reproductive health. Baseline provider surveys revealed frequent counseling on disease-specific topics but limited discussion of reproductive health, insurance planning, and transition-related issues. A structured transition education intervention was associated with substantial improvements in disease knowledge, self-management skills, healthcare navigation, and reproductive health awareness among adolescents with CHD. These findings support integration of standardized transition education into routine pediatric cardiology practice.