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. 2024 Jun 18:2:100060.
doi: 10.1016/j.hctj.2024.100060. eCollection 2024.

Improving transition of care from pediatric to adult endocrinology for adolescents with diabetes

Felicia Cooper  1 , Jessica Pierce  1 , Neha Vyas  1
Affiliations

Improving transition of care from pediatric to adult endocrinology for adolescents with diabetes

Felicia Cooper et al. Health Care Transit. .

Abstract

Introduction: Adolescence is a challenging time in a child's life and can be even more stressful for those with a chronic medical condition such as diabetes mellitus. Adolescents and young adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes experience worsening glycemic levels as they enter adulthood. Data suggest that a formalized health care transition process and beginning transition preparation in early adolescence leads to better transition outcomes.

Methods: The aim of this study was to create a transition of care program for youth with diabetes in a standalone children's hospital by following the Got Transition Six Core Elements of Health Care Transition. First, we implemented a transition of care policy and formalized how we discussed transition of care with patients and families in early adolescence. Further improvements have included assessing readiness to transition, designing a curriculum centered around adolescent-specific issues and how they relate to diabetes management, and forming connections with adult endocrinologists in the area to establish a seamless transition process.

Results: After implementing our program, 90 % (28/31) of our patients indicated they were very or somewhat ready to transition to adult care.

Discussion: We outline our process for developing a transition of care program and provide a practical tool for other pediatric diabetes providers who are interested in implementing a similar program.

Keywords: Adolescents; Diabetes; Pediatric; Transition; Type 1 diabetes.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Our clinic’s transition of care process based on the Six Core Elements.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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