Abstract
Purpose
Emerging adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) are at increased risk for poor health outcomes as they transition from pediatric to adult healthcare providers. This is in part due to the complexities of young adult life as individuals with T1D enter the work force, leave home, or start college while learning to manage the disease on their own. We sought to identify the barriers and facilitators adolescents face during their emerging adult years with T1D.
Methods
Young adults, ages 24‐35, who lived with T1D during their adolescent years were recruited online to complete a survey regarding their experience with care transition. Categorical data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. A thematic analysis, guided by the Framework for Emerging Adults with T1D, was used to explore the free‐text data.
Results
In total, 25 adults (84% female) with mean age of 28 ± 3.2 years participated. Themes that arose from the analysis of the pediatric to adult care transition experiences included: (1) importance of support from key players, (2) challenges navigating the healthcare system, (3) mental health needs of emerging adults with T1D, (4) managing day‐to‐day life with T1D, and (5) early independence to ease transition.
Conclusion
Individuals with T1D face a variety of challenges as they transition from pediatric to adult care providers. A proactive approach in educating adolescents is needed.