Transition

Transition, in the context of diabetes care, traditionally refers to the “purposeful, planned movement of adolescents and young adults...from child-centred to adult orientated health care systems”. (Blum et al. 1993)

Adolescence can be a difficult time for many young people as they learn to manage new-found freedom and autonomy in a confusing world of new experiences.  If you add management of a complicated medical condition into this equation, it is easy to see how healthcare can be placed into the “too hard – I’ll do that later” basket.

At around 15 years of age, many paediatric hospitals and healthcare services begin to transition patients across to adult healthcare.

For some, this transition is a smooth and seamless transfer from the supported care of their paediatric specialist team and parents/carers, to more self-motivated engagement with independent healthcare providers.  For others, the journey is fraught with difficulties and hurdles which can leave the young person thinking “Do they even remember who I am?” or “Do they even care what I think?”

Unfortunately, this type of experience often leads to young people “dropping out” of the healthcare system, leaving them to fend for themselves with their diabetes management and risking long-term irreversible complications.

New Project

An exciting project funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing through an NDSS Strategic Development Grant and administered by Diabetes Australia Limited hopes to tackle this issue once and for all.

The project’s objective is to develop a nationally consistent youth transition pack to be distributed to NDSS registrants aged 15 to 18 years with type 1 and 2 diabetes, assisting them to transfer from paediatric to adult health care. By standardising the resources young people receive, it is hoped the frequency of young people “dropping out” of healthcare will decrease and the long-term cost on the health care system will be significantly reduced.

Created in consultation with a Youth Transition Working Party and consumers, the pack will draw on existing resources as well as examining research and information into innovative adolescent healthcare strategies.  The pack will be delivered in a manner that is accessible and inviting to young people; with plans for it to be integrated into future projects.

If you would like further information on this project contact the project coordinator – Rebecca Infanti at Diabetes Australia – Vic on 03 9667 1747.