Introduction: Youth with diabetes should transition from paediatric to adult diabetes services in a deliberate, organized and cooperative way. International diabetes specific consensus guidelines are currently lacking. We sought to identify the experiences of healthcare professionals (HCPs) providing transition care, around readiness planning, policies, and the actual transfer to adult services, plus their perceptions around barriers in offering a good transition experience.
Methods: Data were collected via an online global survey (seven language options), broadly advertised by ISPAD, EASD, team members and research partners, via newsletters, websites, e-mails and social media.
Results: Respondents (n=372) were mainly physicians (74.5%), practicing in government funded (59.4%), pediatric (54.0%), metropolitan settings (85.8%) in Europe (44.9%); 37.1% in low or middle-income countries (LMICs). Youth were typically introduced to transition between 15-17 years (49.2%) and adult diabetes teams at ≥18 years (62.4%). Few centers used a transition readiness checklist (31.7%), written transition information (29.6%), or had a dedicated staff member (23.7%). Similarly, few involved a psychologist (25.8%), had combined (35.2%) or transition/young person only clinics (34.9%), or a structured transition education program (22.6%); 49.8% advised youth to use technology to assist the transfer. Most (91.9%) respondents reported barriers in offering a good transition experience; additional staffing (72.0%) and a structured protocol (71.5%) were perceived to improve the transition process. A greater proportion of respondents from LMICs sought more funding (p=0.01), a structured protocol (p<0.001) and education (p<0.001).
Conclusion: HCPs’ experiences and perceptions related to transition between pediatric and adult diabetes services vary widely. There is a pressing need for international consensus transition guidelines.
S. James: None. L. Cudizio: Other Relationship; Novo Nordisk. S. Lyons: None. A. Araszkiewicz: Other Relationship; Sanofi, Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly and Company, Ascensia Diabetes Care, Boehringer-Ingelheim. A. Gomber: None. N.M. Maruthur: Other Relationship; Johns Hopkins Health Care Solutions. F.J. Snoek: Advisory Panel; Abbott, Sanofi, Eli Lilly and Company, Roche Diabetes Care. J. Weissberg-Benchell: Consultant; Beta Bionics, Inc. Advisory Panel; American Diabetes Association. Research Support; Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. C. de Beaufort: None.
