Models of Care for Adolescents and Young Adults with Type 1 Diabetes in Transition: Shared Medical Appointments and Telemedicine

Pediatr Ann. 2017 May 1;46(5):e193-e197. doi: 10.3928/19382359-20170425-01.

Abstract

Transitioning through adolescence and young adulthood is challenging, and even more so for patients living with a chronic disease such as type 1 diabetes. Patients in this age group encounter multiple obstacles to effectively managing their diabetes, experience suboptimal glycemic control, face higher rates of acute complications, and are often lost to medical follow-up. Comprehensive strategies and innovative clinical models are needed to engage this population in diabetes medical care, address barriers to ideal management, and improve outcomes. Telemedicine, shared medical appointments (SMA), or a combination of telemedicine and SMA are potential models to more successfully, efficiently, and satisfactorily address the urgent need for improved care in this high-risk population. This article reviews various clinical care models within these categories of telemedicine and SMA. [Pediatr Ann. 2017;46(5):e193-e197.].

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / therapy*
  • Group Processes
  • Humans
  • Telemedicine / organization & administration*
  • Transition to Adult Care / organization & administration*
  • Young Adult