Supportive Transition Planning for Adolescents Transitioning From Psychiatric Hospitalization to School: A Systematic Literature Review and Framework of Practices

Abstract

School-aged youth with behavioral health needs often struggle in the academic environment. When admitted to acute psychiatric hospital settings, the student’s difficulties and needs increase upon discharge and return to the school setting. While the literature describes systemic issues in transitioning from an acute psychiatric hospital to the school setting, limited resources exist for practitioners to plan for and support the successful reintegration of affected students. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, the purpose of the current systematic review was to collect and synthesize evidence from the literature (N = 20) in the areas of barriers, challenges, and significance of the need for a formal transition planning framework. Four major key factors emerged as important to assist in creating a transition planning framework for acute psychiatric hospitals to school-based settings: (a) Stakeholder Voice (Student, Caregiver, Hospital/Treatment Team, or School Team Voice); (b) Establishing a Point Person for Transition (Medical or School Point Person); (c) Recommendations/Accommodations (Formal or Informal Supports); and (d) Having a Transition Meeting. Other common factors are discussed, and recommendations are provided to aid practitioners in increasing the likelihood that school-age youth succeed in the school environment post-discharge from acute psychiatric settings. Finally, gaps in the literature are identified as areas for further research.