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. 2013 Jul;3(4):10.2217/dmt.13.27.
doi: 10.2217/dmt.13.27.

Looking forward to transition: perspectives on transition from pediatric to adult diabetes care

Jennifer K Raymond  1 , Danny C Duke  2 , Lisa Shimomaeda  2 , Michael A Harris  2
Affiliations

Looking forward to transition: perspectives on transition from pediatric to adult diabetes care

Jennifer K Raymond et al. Diabetes Manag (Lond). 2013 Jul.

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to prospectively investigate transition beliefs, knowledge and needs of pediatric patients with diabetes and their parents.

Patients & methods: Parallel youth and parent questionnaires evaluating the transition process were distributed over a 6-month time period. Respondents included 123 pediatric patients with diabetes (11-19 years old) and their parents.

Results: Few families had discussed the transition of diabetes care (∼25%). Most had not established a transition plan (∼90%). Youth and parents agreed that seeing the doctor alone, discussions about transition and transition itself should occur at 17-18 years of age.

Conclusion: Youth with diabetes and their parents are not prepared for transition to adult care. Transition discussions should begin at an earlier age. Additional research is needed to learn how and when to begin these discussions.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Percentage of ‘no’ and ‘yes’ responses from youth and their parents to four questions from the transition questionnaire
The participants answered no or yes to the following: (A) family has talked about transition; (B) family has information about transition; (C) family has a transition plan; and (D) adult clinic will have the same support staff as pediatric clinic (medical doctor, certified diabetes educator, social worker and PhD). Paired youth/parent responses were analyzed using the two-sided Fisher's exact test for youth/parent pairs.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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