Technology Use in Transition-Age Patients With Type 1 Diabetes

Abstract

Youth with chronic illnesses have the greatest risk for a decline in their health management during transition-age. Because of this demonstrated and well-known issue, research has focused on how to improve the transition of care process. Despite the increasing number of technological devices on the market and the advances in telemedicine modalities available to patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D), the utilization of technology is still suboptimal among patients of transition-age (ages 13-25). This article reviews the available resources, patterns of use in transition-age youth, and explores opportunities to advance technology use in transitioning patients with T1D from pediatric to adult care.

Cost-effectiveness of Shared Telemedicine Appointments in Young Adults With T1D: CoYoT1 Trial

“…6 Efforts to improve health outcomes in this population have focused on developing new systems of care that may improve the transition between pediatric and adult medicine. 5 Our study is the first to evaluate the societal cost-effectiveness of the CoYoT1 care model, a combination of telemedicine and shared medical appointments, compared to usual care in transition-age young adults with T1D.…”

“…1 The transition period from pediatric to adult care is challenging and frequently accompanied by missed clinic visits and suboptimal glycemic control. [2][3][4][5][6] An innovative care model -shared medical appointments delivered through home telehealth -was evaluated by the recent Colorado Young adults with T1D (CoYoT1) trial. The trial demonstrated that the care model improved patient attendance and diabetes care engagement.…”

Supporting adolescents with type 1 diabetes during the transition from child to adult services: a literature review

“…As identified, adolescence is a life transition which is notorious for reduced compliance with treatment, particularly with long term conditions Los et al, 2016). Burke & Dowling (2007) identified it as being a period where young people are still maturing emotionally and cognitively and it is associated with independence, new experiences and testing of boundaries.…”

“…The consequence of this reduction in effective diabetes management and engagement with services during adolescence is directly associated with a deterioration in health (Lostein et al, 2013;Merrick, et al, 2015;Campbell et al, 2016;Los et al, 2016). Thynne et al (2014) agree that the transition to adult services is a difficult time, and professionals working in primary care should aim to ease transition for adolescents to improve responsiveness to increase autonomy, independence and responsibility.…”

“…The risk of poor glycaemic control is heightened during adolescence as competing interests and psychological changes lead to non-adherence to treatment (Lostein et al, 2013;Merrick, et al, 2015;Campbell et al, 2016;Los et al, 2016). T1 during adolescence creates a pressure on both families and supporting professionals, with only around 1/3 of this group achieving target blood glucose levels (Diabetes UK, 2016).…”