Health Care Transition Preparation and Experiences in a U.S. National Sample of Young Adults With Type 1 Diabetes

Abstract

Objective: Young adults with type 1 diabetes transitioning from pediatric to adult care are at risk for adverse outcomes. We developed a survey to evaluate transition experiences in two groups of young adults with type 1 diabetes, before (PEDS) and after (ADULT) transition to adult care.

Research design and methods: We fielded an electronic survey to young adults (18 to <30 years) at 60 T1D Exchange Clinic Registry centers.

Results: Surveys were completed by 602 young adults, 303 in the PEDS group (60% female, age 20 ± 2 years) and 299 in the ADULT group (62% female, age 24 ± 3 years). In the PEDS group, mean anticipated transition age was 22 ± 2 years; 64% remained in pediatric care because of emotional attachment to the provider. The ADULT group transitioned at age 19 ± 2 years, mainly after pediatric provider recommendation. More than 80% of respondents reported receiving counseling on type 1 diabetes self-management and screening tests from pediatric providers, but less than half (43% PEDS and 33% ADULT) reported discussing reproductive health. In the PEDS group, half had discussed transfer with pediatric providers. Of the ADULT participants, 63% received an adult provider referral, and 66% felt mostly/completely prepared to transition. ADULT participants with fewer pretransition pediatric visits or who felt unprepared for transition had increased odds of gaps >6 months between pediatric and adult care. Receipt of transition preparation counseling was not associated with self-reported hemoglobin A1c <7.0% in either group.

Conclusions: These results support the need for intensive efforts to integrate transition preparation counseling and care coordination into pediatric type 1 diabetes care.

© 2017 by the American Diabetes Association.

Figures

Figure 1

A: Reasons for remaining with the pediatric provider. B: Main reason for leaving the pediatric provider.

Figure 2

A: Transition preparation in participants receiving care from a pediatric provider. B: Transition preparation in participants who have transitioned from a pediatric provider to an adult provider.