Building Competency in Diabetes Education THE ESSENTIALS

4-30 | CHAPTER 4

• Discussion regarding the differences in pediatric care versus adult care should include the patient and the family. • Pediatric centers should be proactive in referring to the adult centers with direct contact. • Adult centers should consider programs designed to target the young adult with diabetes, focusing on specialty transition clinics. • Speciality interest topics for the emerging adult should be offered by trained personnel familiar with the challenges of this age group. • Employ transition coordinators, also referred to as “patient navigators”.

• Transition team introduced by the pediatric team. • Have a reminder system in place for appointments.

“Ideally, the emerging adult feels that he/she is receiving accessible, patient-centered, coordinated, comprehensive, continuous, compassionate and culturally–effective care” (36).

Figure 5. Adulthood

Middle–age adults

Young adults

Older adults

Young Adult A person in this stage of life is usually at the peak of physical development. Young adults often lead hectic lives, juggling the responsibilities associated with academic life, work life and social activities. Diabetes management becomes difficult or may take a back seat to what the patient considers most pressing at the time.