Aims: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) is a chronic illness that requires constant monitoring and management of one's blood glucose levels. This study focuses specifically on young adults aged 18-25 living with T1D in the United States and aims to identify strengths and areas of improvement for provider-patient relationships within young adult T1D care.
Methods: An online 15-question Qualtrics survey was distributed across social media over one month, and responses were studied using descriptive, inferential, and causal statistical analysis.
Results: Of the 48 responses, 56% strongly agreed that their provider listens to how they like to do things and conveys confidence in their ability to make changes, whereas 29% didn't feel trust and are unable to be open with their provider. Diabetes-specific stressors and diabetes burnout was the most selected topic that participants wanted their provider to address more often. 56.3% of participants have switched diabetes care providers due to dissatisfaction, and 47.9% have felt belittled or called a bad diabetic by a diabetes provider.
Discussion: Strong provider-patient relationships that facilitate trust, comfort, and connection were related to lower HbA1C, improved diabetes control, and improved diabetes-related stress.
C.N.Diaz: None. A.Ong: None. C.Chen: None.
