Diabetes transition care and adverse events: a population-based cohort study in Ontario, Canada

Transition to adult healthcare for immigrant youth: Practice recommendations

Introduction

The transition from pediatric to adult healthcare is challenging for adolescents and young adults (AYA) with pediatric-onset chronic health conditions. Although barriers faced by AYA during transition are well-documented, previous studies have not considered how migration and settlement impact patient and family experiences.

Objectives

To fill this gap, we conducted a qualitative descriptive study to explore the recommendations for policy and practice from the perspectives of immigrant and refugee AYA living with chronic health conditions in Canada as they transition from pediatric to adult healthcare. We also sought the perspectives of their parents/caregivers and service providers.

Methods

Semi-structured individual interviews and focus groups were conducted with 20 AYA, 14 caregivers, and 5 service providers. AYA were 1st or 2nd generation immigrants to Canada, aged 16-25, with childhood-onset chronic health conditions. Parents or caregivers were 1st generation immigrants, having children with chronic health conditions. Service providers delivered healthcare or other services to immigrant populations.

Results

Recommendations to improve the transition process and mitigate barriers to care included providing more accessible information about patients' health conditions prior to transition, moving the age of transfer beyond age 18, establishing a centralized online health portal for patients who are transitioning to the adult system, providing family case workers, increasing language support, and increasing cross-sector support.

Conclusion

A broad range of recommendations aimed at improving the transition process were provided. Future interventions to support transition from pediatric to adult care for immigrants and refugees should incorporate these recommendations.

Landscape of healthcare transition services in Canada: a multi-method environmental scan

BACKGROUND

Poorly supported transitions from pediatric to adult healthcare can lead to negative health outcomes for youth and their families. To better understand the current landscape of healthcare transition care across Canada, the Canadian Health Hub in Transition (the "Transition Hub", established in 2019) identified a need to: (1) describe programs and services supporting the transition from pediatric to adult healthcare across Canada; and (2) identify strengths, barriers, and gaps affecting the provision of transition services.

METHODS

Our project included two iterative steps: a national survey followed by a qualitative descriptive study. Service providers were recruited from the Transition Hub and invited to complete the survey and participate in the qualitative study. The survey was used to collect program information (e.g., setting, clinical population, program components), and semi-structured interviews were used to explore providers' perspectives on strengths, barriers, and gaps in transition services. Qualitative data were analyzed using the Framework Method.

RESULTS

Fifty-one surveys were completed, describing 48 programs (22 pediatric, 19 bridging, and 7 adult) across 9 provinces. Almost half of the surveyed programs were in Ontario (44%) and most programs were based in hospital (65%) and outpatient settings (73%). There was wide variation in the ages served, with most programs focused on specific diagnostic groups. Qualitative findings from 23 interviews with service providers were organized into five topics: (1) measuring transition success; (2) program strengths; (3) barriers and gaps; (4) strategies for improvement; and (5) drivers for change.

CONCLUSIONS

While national transition guidelines exist in Canada, there is wide variation in the way young people and their families are supported. A national strategy, backed by local leadership, is essential for instigating system change toward sustainable and universally accessible support for healthcare transition in Canada.

Quality Indicators for Transition from Pediatric to Adult Care for Youth With Chronic Conditions: Proposal for an Online Modified Delphi Study

BACKGROUND

The transition from pediatric to adult care poses a significant health system-level challenge impeding the delivery of quality health services for youth with chronic health conditions. In Canada and globally, the transition to adult care is regarded as a top priority in adolescent health in need of readily applicable, adaptable, and relevant national metrics to evaluate and benchmark transition success across disease populations and clinical care settings. Unfortunately, existing literature fails to account for the lack of engagement from youth and caregivers in developing indicators, and its applicability across chronic conditions, primary care involvement, and health equity considerations.

OBJECTIVE

Our proposed study aims to establish a consensus-driven set of quality indicators for the transition to adult care that are universally applicable across physical, developmental, and mental health conditions, clinical care settings, and health jurisdictions.

METHODS

Using an integrated knowledge translation (iKT) approach, a panel comprising youth, caregivers, interdisciplinary health care providers, and health system leaders will be established to collaborate with our research team to ensure that the study methodology, materials, and knowledge dissemination are suitable and reflect the perspectives of youth and their families. We will then conduct an iterative 3-round Online Modified Delphi (OMD) study (n=160) to (1) compare and contrast the perspectives of youth, caregivers, health care providers, and health system leaders on quality indicators for transition; and (2) prioritize a key set of quality indicators for transition applicable across disease populations that are the most important, useful, and feasible in the Canadian context. Using the RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method (RAM) multistage analytic approach, data from each panel and stakeholder group will be examined separately and compared to establish a key set of indicators endorsed by both panels.

RESULTS

The study is funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and Physicians Services Incorporated.

CONCLUSIONS

This study will produce quality indicators to evaluate and inform action equitably to improve transition from pediatric to adult care for youth and their families in Canada.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

PRR1-10.2196/60860.

Recent Improvements in Attainment of the Hemoglobin A1c Target of ≤7.0% Among Adults with Type 1 Diabetes in Ontario: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Aims: We evaluated attainment of the hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) target of ≤7.0%, its temporal trends, and associated factors among adults with type 1 diabetes in Ontario, Canada, using administrative data. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study, including Ontarians with type 1 diabetes ≥18 years old with ≥1 HbA1c test between April 1, 2012 (fiscal year 2013), and March 31, 2023. Generalized estimating equations were used to determine probabilities of meeting the HbA1c target, as well as associations between fiscal year and individual-, physician-, and system-level factors on odds of meeting the target. Results: Among 28,827 adults with type 1 diabetes [14,385 (49.9%) female, 17,998 (62.4%) pump users], with median age at index of 25 years [interquartile range (IQR) 18-37] and median diabetes duration of 12 years [6-18], there were 474,714 HbA1c tests [median 2/individual/year (IQR: 1-3)]. The model-estimated probability of meeting the HbA1c target of ≤7.0% was 22.1% (95% confidence interval, CI: 21.6 to 22.5) in 2013, remained stable until 2020, and increased to 34.7% (95% CI: 34.3 to 35.2) in 2023. The age- and sex-adjusted odds ratio for meeting the target in 2023 versus 2013 was 1.87 (95% CI: 1.79 to 1.96). Young adults (18-25 years), diabetic ketoacidosis, greater comorbidity, and receiving diabetes care from a nonspecialist physician were associated with reduced odds of meeting the HbA1c target. Conclusions: One-third of adults with type 1 diabetes in Ontario met the recommended HbA1c target of ≤7.0% in 2023, with improvement noted since 2021, which may be due to advanced technologies or effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Barriers and facilitators to transition from pediatric to adult healthcare for immigrant youth with chronic health conditions

PURPOSE

The objective of this study was to investigate the experience of first- and second- generation immigrant youth living with chronic health conditions in Canada, their parents or caregivers, and healthcare and service providers who care for immigrant youth, regarding the transition from pediatric to adult healthcare.

DESIGN AND METHODS

We conducted semi-structured individual interviews and focus groups. Youth were 1st or 2nd generation immigrants, aged 16-25, with pediatric-onset chronic health conditions. Parents or caregivers had raised youth children as described. Providers delivered healthcare or other services to immigrant populations. Thematic analysis was conducted of all transcripts.

RESULTS

Twenty youth, 14 parents/caregivers and five service providers participated. Most participants described healthcare transition as very difficult to navigate. Two major themes emerged across participant narratives: 1. Barriers to transition: lack of family experience in Canada, language, discrimination, financial strain, stigma, and long wait times. Some of these barriers are specific to newcomer families, but others are generalizable to the Canadian population. 2. Facilitators of transition: youth independence, youth acting as cultural bridges within their families, and cross-sector support between healthcare, education, social work and settlement services.

CONCLUSIONS

Immigrant youth and their families face a broad range of barriers to healthcare transition. The collaborative nature of cross-sector support effectively addressed some of the barriers faced by newcomer families.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Clinicians should provide immigrant youth and their families with accessible information about the health condition and how to navigate the adult healthcare system prior to transition, particularly when language barriers exist.

Role of primary care in enhancing continuity of care for adolescents and young adults with chronic kidney disease undergoing transition to adult health services

The transition from pediatric to adult health care is a vulnerable period for adolescents and young adults (AYA) with chronic conditions as it involves a multitude of changes and challenges while they enter adulthood. The transition to adult care can be particularly challenging for AYA living with chronic kidney disease (CKD) due to the complex care needed for treatment. Continuity of care is crucial for a successful transition to adult health care. The aim of this educational review is to discuss the potential role of primary care providers in the transition from pediatric to adult health services for AYA with CKD and kidney failure treated with dialysis and/or transplant. We address the significance of the medical home model and how it can provide continuity of care for AYA with CKD. Primary care providers can enhance care for AYA with chronic conditions by providing continuity of care, reducing exacerbation of chronic health conditions, providing holistic care, and fostering collaboration with specialists. Despite their vital role, primary care providers face barriers in maintaining this continuity, necessitating further attention and support in this area. By addressing these barriers and encouraging primary care providers to work alongside pediatric and adult nephrologists during the transition to adult health care, there are significant opportunities to improve the care and health outcomes of AYA with CKD.

Social and Structural Drivers of Health and Transition to Adult Care

CONTEXT

Youth with chronic health conditions experience challenges during their transition to adult care. Those with marginalized identities likely experience further disparities in care as they navigate structural barriers throughout transition.

OBJECTIVES

This scoping review aims to identify the social and structural drivers of health (SSDOH) associated with outcomes for youth transitioning to adult care, particularly those who experience structural marginalization, including Black, Indigenous, and 2-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, and others youth.

DATA SOURCES

Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and PsycINFO were searched from earliest available date to May 2022.

STUDY SELECTION

Two reviewers screened titles and abstracts, followed by full-text. Disagreements were resolved by a third reviewer. Primary research studying the association between SSDOH and transition outcomes were included.

DATA EXTRACTION

SSDOH were subcategorized as social drivers, structural drivers, and demographic characteristics. Transition outcomes were classified into themes. Associations between SSDOH and outcomes were assessed according to their statistical significance and were categorized into significant (P < .05), nonsignificant (P > .05), and unclear significance.

RESULTS

101 studies were included, identifying 12 social drivers (childhood environment, income, education, employment, health literacy, insurance, geographic location, language, immigration, food security, psychosocial stressors, and stigma) and 5 demographic characteristics (race and ethnicity, gender, illness type, illness severity, and comorbidity). No structural drivers were studied. Gender was significantly associated with communication, quality of life, transfer satisfaction, transfer completion, and transfer timing, and race and ethnicity with appointment keeping and transfer completion.

LIMITATIONS

Studies were heterogeneous and a meta-analysis was not possible.

CONCLUSIONS

Gender and race and ethnicity are associated with inequities in transition outcomes. Understanding these associations is crucial in informing transition interventions and mitigating health inequities.

Role of primary care for individuals with childhood-onset neurologic conditions

Background

Individuals with childhood-onset neurologic conditions often face challenges in the pediatric-to-adult health care transition (HCT). Furthermore, the importance of implementing primary care is unrecognized. We investigated the situation of adults with childhood-onset neurologic conditions from the perspective of health care professionals (HCPs) in community- and hospital-based primary care practice.

Design and methods

Overall, 1334 HCPs in medical facilities across Tokyo (mainly in Kita, Nerima, and Itabashi Cities) were surveyed regarding their experience caring for adults with childhood-onset neurologic conditions. Snowball sampling was also deployed to enhance the input from various health professions. The questionnaire included quick response codes linked to web-based questionnaires identical to paper-based ones, enabling additional HCPs to answer the questionnaire. The survey included questions about the care provided by HCPs, the perceived challenges and worthwhileness of the care, and their views on HCT.

Results

We collected 276 responses (response rate, 20.7%): 224 by mail and 52 online. In total, 94 HCPs of the respondents (75 doctors, 11 nurses, 5 therapists, 2 care workers, and 1 medical social worker) involved in caring for this population were analyzed. Doctors and nurses managed medical devices, educated patients, and provided consultation and care. Doctors cited the management of comorbidities outside of their expertise and difficulties securing hospitalization during emergencies as barriers to care. HCPs found the valuable opportunities to enrich their clinical experience and long-term relationships with patients worthwhile. HCPs expressed the need for systems that guarantee patient hospitalization and multidisciplinary conferences between HCPs and specialists.

Conclusion

We described the roles of HCPs in community- and hospital-based primary care, which are vital components of HCT for adults with childhood-onset neurologic conditions. Their practice includes multidisciplinary involvement, patient education, and care coordination. For better HCT in this population, efforts are required to enhance HCPs' capability to respond to patients with disabilities, patients' multiple comorbidities, and families' needs.

Practice implications

Further efforts to deepen community-based care are desired to improve HCT for people with childhood-onset neurologic conditions.

An institution-wide mixed methods assessment of healthcare transition

Background

Healthcare transition (HCT) is the process of moving a patient from pediatric, parent-supervised care to an independent, adult-centered model. This study assesses current HCT activities and explores the educational and system-based needs for effective HCT processes in a single institution.

Methods

We interviewed division/care program leaders at one academic tertiary-care children's hospital regarding HCT practices. We evaluated these groups using an interview guide and rubric scoring from the "GotTransition Current Assessment of HCT Activities" (scoring range from 8 [low HCT] to 32 [high HCT]). We audio-recorded and transcribed interviews. We calculated each group's score on the rubric. Two coders qualitatively analyzed interview transcripts using a thematic analysis approach with deductive and inductive strategies.

Results

We interviewed 28 participants, each representing one division/care program. The institutional mean on the HCT assessment was 15.5 ± 4.5 (median 17.5, range 8-28). Key interview themes included: 1) Significant heterogeneity in the HCT process exists within most divisions/care programs; 2) While some groups have their own HCT practices, there is no coordinated institutional HCT approach.; 3) Participants find HCT difficult if they perceive the lack of an equivalent adult specialist for a patient's specific medical condition; 4) There is a lack of coordinated handoffs from pediatric to adult providers. 5) Participants desire ancillary staff to support HCT.

Conclusion

Despite known benefits of a structured approach, most leaders report heterogeneity in current HCT practices and a lack of institutional resources and adult provider partners to support optimal HCT. We present a reproducible methodology to evaluate HCT within a single institution, as well as baseline assessment data that may inform interventions.

Implementation of programmes for the transition of adolescents to adult care

Up to 15-20% of adolescents have a chronic health problem. Adolescence is a period of particular risk for the development or progression of chronic diseases for both individuals with more prevalent conditions and those affected by rare diseases. The transition from paediatric to adult care begins with preparing and training the paediatric patient, accustomed to supervised care, to assume responsibility for their self-care in an adult care setting. The transition takes place when the young person is transferred to adult care and discharged from paediatric care services. It is only complete when the youth is integrated and functioning competently within the adult care system. Adult care providers play a crucial role in welcoming and integrating young adults. A care transition programme can involve transitions of varying complexity, ranging from those required for common and known diseases such as asthma, whose management is more straightforward, to rare complex disorders requiring highly specialized personnel. The transition requires teamwork with the participation of numerous professionals: paediatricians and adult care physicians, nurses, clinical psychologists, health social workers, the pharmacy team and administrative staff. It is essential to involve adolescents in decision-making and for parents to let them take over gradually. A well-structured transition programme can improve health outcomes, patient experience, the use of health care resources and health care costs.

Developing a specialty transition clinic: Inaugural clinical and financial operations

Purpose

Few examples of hospital-wide transition programs have been presented in the literature and to date, we have no data on the clinical and financial operations of such services.

Design and methods

A transition clinic, guided by Got Transition's Six Core Elements, was created for youth with moderate-to-high medical and psychosocial complexity (per Bob's Levels of Social Support scale). The clinic visit and transition readiness assessment (UNC TRxANSITION Index) were billed fee-for-service or under a bundled payment managed care model. We present data on patient characteristics, clinic operations, finances, and patient/parent satisfaction (online survey) in the clinic's first year of operation (March 2021-February 2022).

Results

In Year 1, the clinic completed 115 appointments (113 unique patients). Most patients were older adolescents/young adults (M = 19.7 ± 1.8 years) and nearly half were Latinx. Patients presented with several complex medical needs including coordination of care across multiple subspecialties, high health care utilization, decision-making determinations, behavioral and mental health concerns, and resource needs. Implementation of the Six Core elements was high (range 99.1%-100%). The average billed per patient was $498 (in 2021-2022 USD). Considering paid and unpaid office visits, we collected an average of 31.6 cents on the dollar. Almost 80% of office visit claims and 21.9-33.3% of transition readiness assessments were paid by insurers. Patient/parent satisfaction was high, with over 90% of families reporting that they learned something, knew one thing they could do to improve transition readiness, and were able to get their questions asked and answered.

Conclusions

Transition clinics may never be fully self-sustainable given low collection rates and inability to capture extra charge codes related to chronic care management and transitional care. However, our collection rate was on-par with the collection rate for our hospital's subspecialty clinics and we show it is possible to receive some funding from insurers.

Text message-based intervention, Keeping in Touch (KiT), to support youth as they transition to adult type 1 diabetes care: a protocol for a multisite randomised controlled superiority trial

INTRODUCTION

Transition from paediatric to adult care can be challenging for youth living with type 1 diabetes (T1D), as many youth feel unprepared to transfer to adult care and are at high risk for deterioration of glycaemic management and acute complications. Existing strategies to improve transition experience and outcomes are limited by cost, scalability, generalisability and youth engagement. Text messaging is an acceptable, accessible and cost-effective way of engaging youth. Together with adolescents and emerging adults and paediatric and adult T1D providers, we co-designed a text message-based intervention, Keeping in Touch (KiT), to deliver tailored transition support. Our primary objective is to test the effectiveness of KiT on diabetes self-efficacy in a randomised controlled trial.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

We will randomise 183 adolescents with T1D aged 17-18 years within 4 months of their final paediatric diabetes visit to the intervention or usual care. KiT will deliver tailored T1D transition support via text messages over 12 months based on a transition readiness assessment. The primary outcome, self-efficacy for diabetes self-management, will be measured 12 months after enrolment. Secondary outcomes, measured at 6 and 12 months, include transition readiness, perceived T1D-related stigma, time between final paediatric and first adult diabetes visits, haemoglobin A1c, and other glycaemia measures (for continuous glucose monitor users), diabetes-related hospitalisations and emergency department visits and the cost of implementing the intervention. The analysis will be intention-to-treat comparing diabetes self-efficacy at 12 months between groups. A process evaluation will be conducted to identify elements of the intervention and individual-level factors influencing implementation and outcomes.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The study protocol version 7 July 2022 and accompanying documents were approved by Clinical Trials Ontario (Project ID: 3986) and the McGill University Health Centre (MP-37-2023-8823). Study findings will be presented at scientific conferences and in peer-reviewed publications.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT05434754.

Health care transition for cerebral palsy with intellectual disabilities: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

Today, most individuals with cerebral palsy are adults who need a paediatric-to-adult health care transition. However, many remain in paediatric care for treatment of adult-onset health issues. Therefore, a systematic review based on the 'Triple Aim' framework was performed to determine the status of paediatric-to-adult health care transition for people with cerebral palsy. A comprehensive evaluation of transitional care was proposed for using this framework. It consists of 'experience of care', meaning satisfaction with the care, 'population health', meaning the well-being of patients, and 'cost', meaning cost-effectiveness.

METHOD

Electronic database (PubMed) searches were performed. The inclusion criteria were original articles published between 1990 and 2020. The search terms used in this study were ('cerebral palsy' AND 'transition to adult health care') OR ('cerebral palsy' AND 'transition'). The study type had to be epidemiological, case report, case-control, and cross-sectional, but not qualitative. The outcomes of the studies were categorised into 'care experience', 'population health', and 'cost', according to the Triple Aim framework.

RESULTS

Thirteen articles met the abovementioned inclusion criteria. Few studies have examined the effect of the intervention of transition for young adults with cerebral palsy. Participants in some studies had no intellectual disability. Young adults were dissatisfied with the 'care experience', 'population health', and 'cost' and had unmet health needs and inadequate social participation.

INTERPRETATION

Further transition intervention studies with a comprehensive assessment and proactive involvement of individuals are warranted. The presence of an intellectual disability should be considered.

Carer perspectives of a transition to adult care model for adolescents with an intellectual disability and/or autism spectrum disorder with mental health comorbidities

BACKGROUND

Transition to adult care for adolescents with an intellectual disability and/or autism spectrum disorder with coexisting mental health disorders, often termed 'dual disability', is complex. It requires a family-centred approach, with collaboration among health, disability and social services and early planning.

AIM

To describe carer perspectives of transition to adult care and the outcomes of a transition support intervention, Fearless, Tearless Transition, for adolescents with dual disabilities piloted at a tertiary children's hospital.

METHODS

Carers of adolescents with a dual disability were invited to complete a survey at the commencement of their participation in the Fearless, Tearless Transition model, and again at the conclusion of the project. Within this intervention, carers and adolescents were encouraged to attend dedicated transition clinics and participate in a shared care general practitioner (GP) and paediatrician process.

RESULTS

One hundred and fifty-one carers of adolescents with dual disabilities were included in Fearless, Tearless Transition. Of this cohort, 138 adolescents and their carers received support in a dedicated transition clinic with 99 carers completing the initial survey at the commencement of the model. Eighty-two per cent of carers reported moderate to high levels of anxiety about transitioning from paediatric to adult care with 39% feeling 'unprepared' about transition. Eighty-one per cent reported having inadequate access to respite care with 47% reporting a lack of access to services in the community and 56% expressing dissatisfaction with their GPs. One hundred and two families participated in the shared care process with 80 GPs and 33 paediatricians. Twenty-two carers completed the second survey reporting a modest but significant improvement in preparedness for transition to adult care.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the potential to improve transition outcomes for adolescents with dual disabilities and their carers through early, centralized transition planning, consistent methods of assessing adolescent and carer needs and shared care.

Transitional care models in adolescent kidney transplant recipients-a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Adolescence is a time of significant change for patients, guardians and clinicians. The paediatrician must ensure patients develop the necessary skills and knowledge required to transition and to function as an independent entity, with autonomy over their own care. The transfer from paediatric to adult care carries an increased risk of graft-related complications attributable to a multitude of reasons, particularly non-adherence to immunosuppressive medicines and poor attendance at scheduled appointments. This systematic review was conducted to ascertain the transitional care models available to clinicians caring for kidney transplant recipients and to compare the approach in each respective case.

METHODS

A systematic review was performed, in a methodology outlined by the PRISMA guidelines. OVID MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched for studies that outlined valid, replicable models pertaining to transitional care of paediatric kidney transplant recipients between 1946 and Quarter 3 of 2021. The reference lists of selected articles were also perused for further eligible studies and experts in the field were consulted for further eligible articles. Two investigators assessed all studies for eligibility and independently performed data extraction. Any discrepancies were settled by consensus.

RESULTS

A total of 1121 abstracts were identified, which was reduced to 1029 upon removal of duplicates. A total of 51 articles were deemed appropriate for full-text review and critical appraisal. A total of 12 articles that described models for transition pertaining to kidney transplant patients were included in qualitative synthesis. Every paper utilized a different transition model. All but one model included a physician and nurse at minimum in the transition process. The involvement of adult nephrologists, medical social work, psychology and psychiatry was variable. The mean age for the initiation of transition was 13.4 years (range: 10-17.5 years). The mean age at transfer to adult services was 18.3 years (range: 16-20.5 years).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the well-established need for good transitional care for paediatric solid-organ transplant recipients, models tailored specifically for kidney transplant recipients are lacking. Further research and validation studies are required to ascertain the best method of providing effective transitional care to these patients. Transitional care should become a standardized process for adolescents and young adults with kidney transplants.

Perceptions of diabetes management among adolescents with type 1 diabetes and their caregivers: development and validation of the Japanese version of the diabetes family responsibility questionnaire

The shift in diabetes management responsibility is critical for adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Currently, in Japan, there is insufficient progress in the development of scales for evaluating diabetes management responsibility. We developed the Japanese version of the Diabetes Family Responsibility Questionnaire (DFRQ), a scale to evaluate diabetes management responsibility, and verified its reliability and validity. We recruited 12-18-year-old adolescents with T1D and their caregivers. The DFRQ questionnaires (DFRQ-A for adolescents and DFRQ-C for caregivers) were distributed. The responses of 31 pairs were analyzed (adolescents: 9 males, 22 females; mean age: 14.8 ± 1.5 years). The median total DFRQ scores of adolescents (30.0) and caregivers (32.0) were not significantly different (p = 0.269). The internal consistencies (Cronbach's α) were 0.784 and 0.687 for DFRQ-A and DFRQ-C, respectively. DFRQ-A scores and adolescent age demonstrated a weak statistically significant negative correlation (r =  - 0.397, p = 0.027), whereas DFRQ-C scores and adolescent age demonstrated a weak negative correlation not statistically significant (r =  - 0.311, p = 0.089). Both scores were significantly negatively correlated with self-efficacy for diabetes self-management scores (r =  - 0.390, p = 0.030; r =  - 0.478, p = 0.006, respectively). Furthermore, a significantly moderate positive correlation was found between these scores (r = 0.624, p < 0.001). We confirmed the reliability and validity of the Japanese version of DFRQ. DFRQ is expected to be used as a dyadic scale to evaluate the status of diabetes management responsibility and its transition during adolescence in Japan.

American Association of Clinical Endocrinology Clinical Practice Guideline: Developing a Diabetes Mellitus Comprehensive Care Plan-2022 Update

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this clinical practice guideline is to provide updated and new evidence-based recommendations for the comprehensive care of persons with diabetes mellitus to clinicians, diabetes-care teams, other health care professionals and stakeholders, and individuals with diabetes and their caregivers.

METHODS

The American Association of Clinical Endocrinology selected a task force of medical experts and staff who updated and assessed clinical questions and recommendations from the prior 2015 version of this guideline and conducted literature searches for relevant scientific papers published from January 1, 2015, through May 15, 2022. Selected studies from results of literature searches composed the evidence base to update 2015 recommendations as well as to develop new recommendations based on review of clinical evidence, current practice, expertise, and consensus, according to established American Association of Clinical Endocrinology protocol for guideline development.

RESULTS

This guideline includes 170 updated and new evidence-based clinical practice recommendations for the comprehensive care of persons with diabetes. Recommendations are divided into four sections: (1) screening, diagnosis, glycemic targets, and glycemic monitoring; (2) comorbidities and complications, including obesity and management with lifestyle, nutrition, and bariatric surgery, hypertension, dyslipidemia, retinopathy, neuropathy, diabetic kidney disease, and cardiovascular disease; (3) management of prediabetes, type 2 diabetes with antihyperglycemic pharmacotherapy and glycemic targets, type 1 diabetes with insulin therapy, hypoglycemia, hospitalized persons, and women with diabetes in pregnancy; (4) education and new topics regarding diabetes and infertility, nutritional supplements, secondary diabetes, social determinants of health, and virtual care, as well as updated recommendations on cancer risk, nonpharmacologic components of pediatric care plans, depression, education and team approach, occupational risk, role of sleep medicine, and vaccinations in persons with diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

This updated clinical practice guideline provides evidence-based recommendations to assist with person-centered, team-based clinical decision-making to improve the care of persons with diabetes mellitus.

A call for action: Recommendations to improve transition to adult care for youth with complex health care needs

Youth with complex health care needs, defined as those requiring specialized health care and services for physical, developmental, and/or mental health conditions, are often cared for by paediatricians and paediatric specialists. In Canada, the age at which provincial/territorial funders mandate the transfer of paediatric care to adult services varies, ranging between 16 and 19 years. The current configuration of distinct paediatric and adult care service boundaries is fragmentary, raising barriers to continuity of care during an already vulnerable developmental period. For youth, the lack of care integration across sectors can negatively impact health engagement and jeopardize health outcomes into adulthood. To address these barriers and improve transition outcomes, paediatric and adult care providers, as well as family physicians and other community partners, must collaborate in meaningful ways to develop system-based strategies that streamline and safeguard care for youth transitioning to adult services across tertiary, community, and primary care settings. Flexible age cut-offs for transfer to adult care are recommended, along with considering each youth's developmental stage and capacity as well as patient and family needs and circumstances. Specialized training and education in transitional care issues are needed to build capacity and ensure that health care providers across diverse disciplines and settings are better equipped to accept and care for young people with complex health care needs.

Appel à l'action : des recommandations pour améliorer la transition des jeunes ayant des besoins de santé complexes vers les soins aux adultes

Les jeunes qui ont des besoins de santé complexes, définis comme ceux qui nécessitent des soins et services spécialisés en raison d'affections physiques, développementales ou mentales, sont souvent traités par des pédiatres et autres spécialistes en pédiatrie. Au Canada, l'âge auquel les bailleurs de fonds provinciaux et territoriaux exigent le transfert des soins pédiatriques aux soins pour adultes varie entre 16 et 19 ans. La délimitation actuelle entre les services de santé pédiatriques et aux adultes est fragmentaire, ce qui entrave la continuité des soins pendant une période déjà vulnérable du développement. Le peu d'intégration des soins entre les domaines peut nuire à l'engagement des jeunes en matière de santé et compromettre leur santé à l'âge adulte. Pour renverser ces obstacles et améliorer les résultats de la transition, les dispensateurs de soins pédiatriques et de soins aux adultes, de même que les médecins de famille et d'autres partenaires communautaires, doivent collaborer de manière satisfaisante à l'élaboration de stratégies systémiques qui rationalisent et préservent les soins aux jeunes en transition vers des soins aux adultes en milieu tertiaire, communautaire et primaire. Il est recommandé de privilégier des limites d'âge flexibles pour effectuer cette transition vers les soins aux adultes et de tenir compte de la phase de développement et de l'aptitude de chaque jeune, ainsi que des besoins et de la situation de chaque patient et de chaque famille. Une formation et un enseignement spécialisés sur les enjeux liés aux soins de transition s'imposent pour renforcer les capacités et s'assurer que les professionnels de la santé des diverses disciplines et des divers milieux soient mieux outillés pour accepter et traiter les jeunes qui ont des besoins de santé complexes.

Quality Indicators for Youth Transitioning to Adult Care: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Transition from pediatric to adult care is associated with adverse health outcomes for many adolescents with chronic illness. We identified quality indicators for transition to adult care that are broadly applicable across chronic illnesses and health systems.

METHODS

Medline, Embase, and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature were searched, covering earliest available date to July 2021. The Gray Matters framework was used to search gray literature. Two independent reviewers screened articles by title and abstract, followed by full-text review. Disagreements were resolved by a third reviewer. Studies were included that identified quality indicators developed via consensus-building methods. Indicators were organized into a framework categorized by illness specificity, level of care, Donabedian model, and Institute of Medicine quality domain. Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation tool was used for critical appraisal.

RESULTS

The search identified 4581 articles, of which 321 underwent full-text review. Eight peer-reviewed studies and 1 clinical guideline were included, identifying 169 quality indicators for transition. Of these, 56% were illness specific, 43% were at the patient level of care, 44% related to transition processes, and 51% were patient centered and 0% equity focused. Common indicator themes included education (12%), continuity of care (8%), satisfaction (8%), and self-management/self-efficacy (7%). The study was limited by quality indicators developed through consensus-building methodology.

CONCLUSIONS

Although most quality indicators for transition were patient-centered outcomes, few were informed by youth and parents/caregivers, and none focused on equity. Further work is needed to prioritize quality indicators across chronic illness populations while engaging youth and parents/caregivers in the process.

Introduction of publicly funded pharmacare and socioeconomic disparities in glycemic management in children and youth with type 1 diabetes in Ontario, Canada: a population-based trend analysis

BACKGROUND

We evaluated the impact of publicly funded pharmacare (Ontario Health Insurance Plan [OHIP]+), which was introduced in Ontario on Jan. 1, 2018, for youth less than 25 years of age, on temporal trends in hemoglobin A_1c (HbA_1c, a measure of glycemic management) and the differential effect on the change in temporal trends in HbA_1c according to socioeconomic status (SES).

METHODS

We conducted a trend analysis using administrative data sets. We included youth aged 21 years, 9 months or younger, residing in Ontario on Jan. 1, 2016, with diabetes diagnosed before age 15 years and before Jan. 1, 2015. We used claims for insulin to measure pharmacare use. We evaluated the change in HbA_1c (%) per 90 days before (Jan. 1, 2016, to Dec. 31, 2017) the introduction of and during (Apr. 1, 2018, to Mar. 31, 2019) OHIP+ coverage, and the difference in the change in HbA_1c according to SES, using segmented regression analysis.

RESULTS

Of 9641 patients, 7041 (73.0%) made an insulin claim. We found a negligible difference in the temporal change in HbA_1c during compared with before OHIP+ coverage that was not statistically significant (β estimate -0.0002, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.0004 to 0.0000). The size of the effect was slightly greater in those individuals with the lowest SES than in those with the highest SES (β estimate -0.0008, 95% CI -0.0015 to -0.0001).

INTERPRETATION

We found that the effect of OHIP+ on the change in HbA_1c was slightly greater for youth in the lowest SES than for those in the highest SES. Our findings suggest that publicly funded pharmacare may be an effective policy tool to combat worsening socioeconomic disparities in diabetes care and outcomes.

The clock is ticking: Parental stress around emerging adulthood for adolescents with type 1 diabetes

PURPOSE

Our goal was to explore parental views on the challenges and stressors of transition to young adulthood for adolescents with type 1 diabetes and to describe specific strategies used to reduce parents' own stress during this time.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Focus groups with 39 parents of adolescents with type 1 diabetes were conducted in the greater Seattle area. Semi-structured prompts addressed adolescents' self-care tasks, parental assistance with care, challenges and barriers with self-care tasks, and stress/pressure around self-care. Data was analyzed using qualitative methods for emerging themes.

RESULTS

Parental stress was heightened when adolescents were approaching common developmental milestones such as driving, moving out, and engaging in risky behaviors that could be exacerbated by poor diabetes management. Thus, most parents reported providing assistance even late into adolescence. Parents shared strategies for guiding adolescents' transition from assisted to independent care with an emphasis on active behaviors parents could continue, thereby lowering their own stress.

CONCLUSIONS

Parents of adolescents with type 1 diabetes experienced significant stress around their children's transition to independent diabetes self-care management.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

As part of overall preparation for transition, care providers should be encouraged to communicate with parents about these common stressors and promising avenues for nurturing a teen's independence.

Patient and family perspectives of a Pre-Transition Visit in a paediatric tertiary care diabetes clinic

INTRODUCTION

The need to better prepare youth with type 1 diabetes for the transition from paediatric to adult care is evident. As part of a regional quality improvement initiative, a novel Pre-Transition (Pre-T) Visit was developed and piloted at a paediatric tertiary care centre in January 2018 for patients aged 15-18 years to capture the status of their self-management skills, introduce transition tools and identify self-care goals and knowledge gaps to be addressed prior to transition.

PURPOSE

To evaluate patient and family satisfaction, visit relevance and patient engagement with a novel Pre-T Visit.

METHODS

From May 2019 to March 2020 a survey was offered to all youth who attended a Pre-T Visit and their parent(s)/caregiver(s). Patient and family satisfaction with, relevance of and engagement with the Pre-T Visit were evaluated using a 5-point Likert scale. Multivariable regression was used to assess patient factors associated with patient level satisfaction.

RESULTS

Of the 63 youth who participated in a Pre-T Visit, 60 completed the survey. Mean age (SD) of participants was 16.7 (0.8) years; 47% were female. Mean (SD) haemoglobin A1C (A1C) was 8.2% (1.8). Patients reported high levels of satisfaction (95% quite or extremely satisfied) that were consistent across age, A1C, gender and disease duration. Visit relevance and engagement were also rated highly by youth. Parent participants (n=27) also reported high levels of satisfaction (89% quite or extremely satisfied) and relevance.

CONCLUSIONS

Pre-T Visits were rated highly by patients and their parents. Their impact on glycaemic control and health outcomes following transition requires further study.

Community based Primary Care for Adolescents and Young Adults Transitioning From Pediatric Specialty Care: Results from a Scoping Review

BACKGROUND

Ongoing primary care during adolescence is recommended by best practice guidelines for adolescents and young adults (AYAs; ages 12-25) with chronic conditions. A synthesis of the evidence on the roles of Primary Care Physicians (PCPs) and benefits of primary care is needed to support existing guidelines.

METHODS

We used Arksey and O'Malley's scoping review framework, and searched databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsychINFO, CINAHL) for studies that (i) were published in English between 2004 and 2019, (ii) focused on AYAs with a chronic condition(s) who had received specialist pediatric services, and (iii) included relevant findings about PCPs. An extraction tool was developed to organize data items across studies (eg, study design, participant demographics, outcomes).

RESULTS

Findings from 58 studies were synthesized; 29 (50%) studies focused exclusively on AYAs with chronic health conditions (eg, diabetes, cancer), while 19 (33%) focused exclusively on AYAs with mental health conditions. Roles of PCPs included managing medications, "non-complex" mental health conditions, referrals, and care coordination, etc. Frequency of PCP involvement varied by AYAs; however, female, non-Black, and older AYAs, and those with severe/complex conditions appeared more likely to visit a PCP. Positive outcomes were reported for shared-care models targeting various conditions (eg, cancer, concussion, mental health).

CONCLUSION

Our findings drew attention to the importance of effective collaboration among multi-disciplinary specialists, PCPs, and AYAs for overcoming multiple barriers to optimal transitional care. Highlighting the need for further study of the implementation of shared care models to design strategies for care delivery during transitions to adult care.

Glycaemic control in transition-aged versus early adults with type 1 diabetes and the effect of a government-funded insulin pump programme

AIM

To compare glycaemic control and adverse outcomes between transition-aged and early adults with type 1 diabetes, and the impact of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) therapy funded through a government Assisted Devices Program.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study using healthcare administrative databases from Ontario, Canada included adults aged 18-35 with type 1 diabetes between 1 April 2011 and 31 March 2014. Mean HbA_1c was compared between transition-aged (18-24 years) and early adults (25-35 years), overall and stratified by whether or not they received government-funded CSII therapy (CSII vs. non-CSII). Secondary outcomes included rates of hospitalizations/emergency department visits for hyperglycaemia and hypoglycaemia over a 3-year follow-up. Comparisons were adjusted for relevant covariates.

RESULTS

Among 7157 participants with type 1 diabetes, mean HbA_1c was significantly higher for transition-aged compared to early adults (71 mmol/mol [8.68%] vs. 64 mmol/mol [8.04%], p < 0.0001). This difference was smaller among CSII compared to non-CSII users (p = 0.02 for interaction between age group and CSII use). The transition-age group were more likely to experience a hyperglycaemic event compared to early adults (adjusted risk ratio, aRR: 1.56, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.25-1.96), which was attenuated by CSII use (aRR: 1.13, 95% CI: 0.7-1.69).

CONCLUSIONS

Transition-aged adults with type 1 diabetes had a significantly higher mean HbA_1c and risk of hyperglycaemic events compared to early adults. This difference was attenuated for CSII users, indicating that a government-funded CSII programme is associated with narrowing of the gap in glycaemic control and associated adverse outcomes for this population.

Feasibility of computerized clinical decision support for pediatric to adult care transitions for patients with special healthcare needs

The objective of this study was to determine the feasibility of a computerized clinical decision support (cCDS) tool to facilitate referral to adult healthcare services for children with special healthcare needs. A transition-specific cCDS was implemented as part of standard care in a general pediatrics clinic at a tertiary care academic medical center. The cCDS alerts providers to patients 17-26 years old with 1 or more of 15 diagnoses that may be candidates for referral to an internal medicine adult transition clinic (ATC). Provider responses to the cCDS and referral outcomes (e.g. scheduled and completed visits) were retrospectively analyzed using descriptive statistics. One hundred and fifty-two patients were seen during the 20-month observation period. Providers referred 87 patients to the ATC using cCDS and 77% of patients ≥18 years old scheduled a visit in the ATC. Transition-specific cCDS tools are feasible options to facilitate adult care transitions for children with special healthcare needs.

Exploring the attitudes and experiences of adolescents with type 1 diabetes towards transition of care

Introduction

Transition from adolescence to adult care is very challenging for most patients. Without appropriate appointments and education, adolescents can get lost to follow up within one-year of transitioning to adult care (Mistry et al. Diabet Med 32(7):881–885, 2015). Loss to follow-up can increase risks of adverse short and long term diabetes-related complications, with healthcare contacts mainly limited to crisis-based management (Iversen et al. Scand J Caring Sci 33(3):723–730, 2019).

Aims

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the patient’s perspective of the process of transition from paediatric to adult-based diabetes services in the Mid-West Region of Ireland.

Methods

We implemented a new transition clinic at University Hospital Limerick with the collaboration of paediatric and adult endocrinology teams. Eighteen patients opted to attend the clinic, but only 17 patients consented to participate in a qualitative assessment study and completed questionnaires before and after the transition clinic.

Results and conclusion

In terms of medical management, patients had a good understanding of hypoglycaemia and insulin dose adjustment principles, but were least comfortable with carbohydrate counting. Patients self-ranked their knowledge on driving and sexual health with a diagnosis of diabetes as poor, in comparison to understanding effects of alcohol and smoking on diabetes. Overall, a majority of the respondents felt more confident in moving to adult-care after attending the transition clinic.

Strategies for improving primary care for adolescents and young adults transitioning from pediatric services: perspectives of Canadian primary health care professionals

BACKGROUND

Family physicians and other members of the primary health care (PHC) team may be ideally positioned to provide transition care to adolescents and young adults (AYAs; aged 12-25 years) exiting pediatric specialty services. Potential solutions to well-known challenges associated with integrating PHC and specialty care need to be explored.

OBJECTIVE

To identify strategies to transition care by PHC professionals for AYAs with chronic conditions transitioning from pediatric to adult-oriented care.

METHODS

Participants were recruited from six Primary Care Networks in Calgary, Alberta. A total of 18 semi-structured individual interviews were completed, and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed using a qualitative description approach, involving thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Participants offered a range of strategies for supporting AYAs with chronic conditions. Our analysis resulted in three overarching themes: (i) educating AYAs, families, and providers about the critical role of primary care; (ii) adapting existing primary care supports for AYAs and (iii) designing new tools or primary care practices for transition care.

CONCLUSIONS

Ongoing and continuous primary care is important for AYAs involved with specialty pediatric services. Participants highlighted a need to educate AYAs, families and providers about the critical role of PHC. Solutions to improve collaboration between PHC and pediatric specialist providers would benefit from additional perspectives from providers, AYAs and families. These findings will inform the development of a primary care-based intervention to improve transitional care.

Psychiatric disorders in emerging adults with diabetes transitioning to adult care: A retrospective cohort study

AIMS

During transition from paediatric to adult diabetes care, adolescents with diabetes are at increased risk of psychiatric disorders compared with those without diabetes. Prolonged gaps between the last paediatric and first adult diabetes care visit are associated with higher perceived stress and lower life satisfaction. We assessed the effect of a gap (>180 days) in establishing adult diabetes care on the risk of psychiatric disorders and determined other risk factors associated with psychiatric disorders during the transfer to adult care.

METHODS

Using provincial health administrative databases, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of individuals from Québec, Canada, diagnosed with diabetes between ages 1 and 15 years in 1997-2015. These individuals were followed from 6 months after their last paediatric visit until age 25 years. We used multivariable Cox proportional hazard models to determine the association of gap in care with psychiatric disorders risk.

RESULTS

Among 1772 youth with diabetes, 740 (42%) had a gap in care. There was a non-statistically significant association between gap in care and mood disorders diagnosed in the emergency department or hospital (hazard ratio [HR] 1.38, 95% confidence interval [CI]: [0.92, 2.07]). Older age at transfer, recent birth year and higher number of all-cause emergency department visits in the year before transfer increased the risks of psychiatric disorders.

CONCLUSIONS

Prolonged gaps in care during transfer to adult care are common and may be associated with increased psychiatric disorder risk. Developmental factors associated with adolescence and emerging adulthood may further amplify this risk.

Primary care during the transition to adult care for adolescents involved with pediatric specialty services: a scoping review protocol

BACKGROUND

Of the 15-20% of youth in North America affected by a chronic health condition (e.g., type 1 diabetes, cystic fibrosis) and/or mental health or neurodevelopmental disorder (e.g., depression, eating disorder, Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder), many often require lifelong specialist healthcare services. Ongoing primary care during childhood and into young adulthood is recommended by best practice guidelines. To date, it is largely unknown if, how, and when primary care physicians (PCPs; such as family physicians) collaborate with specialists as AYAs leave pediatric-oriented services. The proposed scoping review will synthesize the available literature on the roles of PCPs for AYAs with chronic conditions leaving pediatric specialty care and identify potential benefits and challenges of maintaining PCP involvement during transition.

METHODS

Arksey and O'Malley's original scoping review framework will be utilized with guidance from Levac and colleagues and the Joanna Briggs Institute. A search of databases including MEDLINE (OVID), EMBASE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL will be conducted following the development of a strategic search strategy. Eligible studies will (i) be published in English from January 2004 onwards, (ii) focus on AYAs (ages 12-25) with a chronic condition(s) who have received specialist services during childhood, and (iii) include relevant findings about the roles of PCPs during transition to adult services. A data extraction tool will be developed and piloted on a subset of studies. Both quantitative and qualitative data will be synthesized.

DISCUSSION

Key themes about the roles of PCPs for AYAs involved with specialist services will be identified through this review. Findings will inform the development and evaluation of a primary-care based intervention to improve transition care for AYAs with chronic conditions.

A province wide review of transition practices for young adult patients with type 1 diabetes

RATIONALE, AIMS, AND OBJECTIVES

Many studies on the transition from paediatric to adult care focus on practices within a single institution or program. We examine the transition for young adults with type 1 diabetes across an entire Canadian province with a small, mostly rural population and high rates of type 1 diabetes: Newfoundland and Labrador (NL). Our aim is to determine how transition is occurring across the jurisdiction and identify methods for improving clinical services for paediatric patients with a chronic condition during their move into adult care.

METHODS

A provincial diabetes database and hospital admission data were reviewed for a cohort of young adults with type 1 diabetes who transitioned into adult care. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with paediatric and adult diabetes providers.

RESULTS

Between 2008 and 2013, 93 patients with type 1 diabetes transitioned into adult care. Rates of diabetes-related hospitalizations increased from 15.6/100 person-years in the 3 years before their 18th birthday to 16.7/100 person-years in the three-year period after. Between 2017 and 2019, 15 interviews were conducted across the province's four regional health authorities. Various models of transition care are being employed, reflecting staff and resource availability in different centres. While no formal transition program was identified in either region, some providers, particularly in rural areas, reported being comfortable with their current transition practices. Suggested improvements included more structured processes, shared educational resources, expanding the role played by primary care physicians, and a dedicated transfer clinic.

CONCLUSIONS

We found different approaches for transitioning patients with diabetes into adult care across NL. Yet this variation may not negatively impact patient outcomes, particularly in rural areas. The approach we employed of combining reviews of administration data with a detailed analysis of current processes could be employed in other jurisdictions to identify appropriate quality improvement initiatives.

Perspectives from primary health care providers on their roles for supporting adolescents and young adults transitioning from pediatric services

BACKGROUND

Transitioning from pediatric care to adult-oriented care at age 18 (the age of transfer in most countries and jurisdictions) is a complex process for adolescents and young adults affected by chronic physical health and/or mental health conditions. The role of primary health care (PHC) providers for this population is poorly understood. Perspectives from these providers, such as family physicians and other members of the primary care team, have not been explored in depth.

METHODS

A total of 18 participants (e.g., family physicians, social workers, nurses) were recruited from 6 Primary Care Networks in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted, and transcribed verbatim. A qualitative description approach was used to analyze the data, and included thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Five distinct, yet overlapping, roles of primary health care providers for adolescents and young adults transitioning to adult care resulted from our analysis: (1) being the "common thread" (continuous accessible care); (2) caring for the "whole patient" (comprehensive care); (3) "knowing families" (family-partnered care); (4) "empowering" adolescents and young adults to develop "personal responsibility" (developmentally-appropriate care); and (5) "quarterbacking" care (coordination of specialist and/or community-based care). Participants identified potential benefits of these roles for adolescents and young adults transitioning to adult care, and barriers in practice (e.g., lack of time, having minimal involvement in pediatric care).

CONCLUSIONS

Input from family physicians, who follow their patients across the lifespan and provide the majority of primary care in Canada, are critical for informing and refining recommended transition practices. Our findings provide insights, from PHC providers themselves, to bolster the rationale for primary care involvement during transitions from pediatric specialty and community-based care for AYAs. Solutions to overcome barriers for integrating primary care and specialty care for adolescents and young adults need to be identified, and tested, with input from key stakeholders.

Methods for Measuring the Time of Transfer from Pediatric to Adult Care for Chronic Conditions Using Administrative Data: A Scoping Review

PURPOSE

To describe methods used to identify the timing of transfer from pediatric to adult care within health administrative data and to identify the advantages and limitations of each method to guide future research.

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTINGS

We conducted a scoping review to identify studies, summarized challenges of identifying the timing of transfer, and proposed methodological approaches for each.

RESULTS

Studies use the following approaches to capture individuals who transfer from pediatric to adult care by 1) defining the timing of transfer by the last pediatric and first adult care visit last and 2) defining transfer to adult care based on a specific age.

CONCLUSION

There are important limitations of administrative data that must be recognized in designing studies examining the transfer to adult care.

Somatic outcomes of young people with chronic diseases participating in transition programs: a systematic review

Introduction

There is growing evidence that the health of young people with chronic health conditions deteriorates during the transfer from child-centred to adult-oriented health care. Risks include not only the deterioration of health status in general but also the occurrence of secondary diseases and adverse events. Transition programs have been implemented. However, there is a lack of evidence about whether they reduce these risks and which interventions should be principally included. Evidence-based guidelines for the transition of young people should be introduced. In this study we therefore aim to summarise actual evidence on somatic outcomes during the transition period.

Methods

A systematic literature review was conducted. Two independent reviewers searched in electronic databases (Cochrane, Embase, PubMed, Web of Science) for intervention studies that aimed to improve transition. Last update of search was October 31st 2018. Grey literature was also searched. Studies were included if they examined participants aged 11 years or older suffering from a chronic health condition and evaluated interventions aimed to improve somatic outcomes after transition. Controlled trials or studies with a measurement before and after intervention were considered. The certainty of evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach. Additionally, each study was graded using a modified grading scale based on GRADE.

Results

28 studies met the inclusion criteria. Patients suffered from different chronic conditions such as type 1 diabetes, solid organ transplantation, inflammatory bowel disease or cystic fibrosis. Interventions had different components such as transition checklists, workshops, web-based interventions, transition plans, joint visits or transition coordinators. Outcomes included mortality and morbidity. They varied according to chronic condition. Thirteen studies showed beneficial effects in the intervention group or in post-intervention measurements. The certainty of evidence was very low.

Conclusion

A considerable number of studies evaluating transition interventions was identified. Transition interventions had some beneficial effects. Workshops, joint visits and longer or multidisciplinary appointments may be particularly effective components. Transition guidelines could be based on these results. However, due to the limitations of the included studies it is difficult to draw firm conclusions. More research is needed to further evaluate the effectiveness of transition interventions. It should address the deficits identified from prior studies, such as poor study design, short follow-up time or small sample sizes.

Acute diabetes complications across transition from pediatric to adult care in Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador: a population-based cohort study

BACKGROUND

Transition to adult diabetes care is a high-risk period for acute complications, yet the optimal transition care model is unknown. To gain insight into the impact on health outcomes of system-level transition processes that reflect resourcing differences, we examined acute complications in youth with diabetes across transition in 2 Canadian provinces with different transition care models.

METHODS

We used linked provincial health administrative data for Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador to create 2 parallel cohorts of youth with diabetes diagnosed before age 15 years who turned 17 between 2006 and 2011. Participants were followed until 2015 (maximum age 21 yr). We described rates of and proportion of participants with at least 1 diabetes-related hospital admission at age 15-17 years and 18-20 years, standardized according to material deprivation based on the 2006 Canadian Marginalization Index. We compared diabetes-related admissions at age 15-17 years and 18-20 years in the Ontario cohort.

RESULTS

The cohorts consisted of 2525 youth in Ontario and 93 in Newfoundland and Labrador. In Newfoundland and Labrador, 39 participants (42.0%) were in the lowest socioeconomic quintile, versus 326 (12.9%) in Ontario. The standardized rate of diabetes-related hospital admissions per 100 person-years was 13.5 (95% confidence interval [CI] 12.6-14.4) at age 15-17 years and 14.4 (95% CI 13.5-15.3) at age 18-20 years in Ontario, and 11.4 (95% CI 7.0-15.8) at age 15-17 years and 10.5 (95% CI 6.4-14.6) at age 18-20 years in Newfoundland and Labrador. In Ontario, there was no association between the rate (adjusted rate ratio 1.10, 95% CI 0.94-1.28) or occurrence (adjusted odds ratio 1.03, 95% CI 0.91-1.17) of diabetes-related admissions across transition.

INTERPRETATION

Although posttransition care is delivered differently in the 2 provinces, rates of adverse events across transition were stable in both. Coordinated support during transition is needed to help mitigate adverse events for young adults in both provinces. Delivery of other health care and social services, including primary care, may be influencing the risk of adverse events after transition to adult care.

Testing an audit and feedback-based intervention to improve glycemic control after transfer to adult diabetes care: protocol for a quasi-experimental pre-post design with a control group

BACKGROUND

When young adults transfer from pediatric to adult diabetes care they are at risk for deterioration of glycemic control, putting them at an increased risk of developing both acute and chronic complications. Despite increased awareness of these risks, there are gaps in care delivery during this vulnerable time and variability in the implementation of recommended transition practice. Audit and feedback (AF) interventions have a positive but variable effect on implementation of best practices. An expert group identified specific suggestions for optimizing the effectiveness of AF interventions. We aim to test an AF-based intervention incorporating these specific suggestions to improve transition practices and glycemic control in the first year after transfer from pediatric to adult diabetes care.

METHODS

This is a pragmatic quasi-experimental study; a series of three cohort studies (pre-implementation, early-implementation, and post-implementation) to compare the baseline adjusted hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in the 12 months after the final pediatric visit in five pediatric diabetes centres within the Ontario Pediatric Diabetes Network in Ontario, Canada. The intervention includes three components: 1) centre-level feedback reports compiling data from chart abstraction, linked provincial administrative datasets, and patient-reported experience measures; 2) webinars for facilitated conversations/coaching about the feedback; and 3) online repository of curated transition resources for providers. The primary outcome will be analyzed using a multivariable linear regression model. We will conduct a qualitative process evaluation to understand intervention fidelity and to provide insight into the mechanisms of action of our results.

DISCUSSION

There is a need to develop an innovative system-level approach to improve outcomes and the quality of care for young adults with type 1 diabetes during the vulnerable time when they transfer to adult care. Our research team, a collaboration of health services, implementation science, and quality improvement researchers, are designing, implementing, and evaluating an AF-based intervention using recommendations about how to optimize effectiveness. This knowledge will be generalizable to other care networks that aim to deliver uniformly high-quality care in diverse care settings.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03781973. Registered 13 December 2018. Date of enrolment of the first participant to the trial: June 1, 2019.

Hypoglycaemia unawareness in young people with type 1 diabetes transferred to an adult center

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate frequency of hypoglycaemia unawareness (HU) in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) transferred from Paediatrics following a specific therapeutic education programme (TEP) in an adult hospital.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Young patients transferred from 2009-2011 were evaluated. The TEP included a coordinated transfer process, individual appointments and a group course. At baseline and at 12 months we evaluated glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) frequency of severe (SH) hypoglycaemia/patient/year and non severe hypoglycaemia (NSH). The patients were classified into two groups and compared: hypoglycaemia awareness (HA) and HU according to the Clarke Test <3R or>3R respectively.

RESULTS

Fifty-six patients (age 18.1±0.3 years, 46% females, HbA_1c 8.0±1.2%) underwent the TEP. In the baseline evaluation 16% presented HU. The number of SH was higher in the HU Group (0.33±0.50 vs. 0.09±0.28 P<.05). The percentage of patients with>2 NSH/week was higher, albeit not significantly, in the HU group (66% vs. 34%, p=0.06). At 12 months 11% of the patients continued to present HU. The number of SH remained higher in the HU group (0.38±1.06 vs. 0.02±0.15 P=.04).

CONCLUSIONS

The percentage of young people with T1D with HU is quite high at transfer. Although the TEP improves hypoglycaemia awareness it does not solve this important problem. Patients with HU more frequently present SH. It is necessary to identify HU in order to reduce SH which continues to be a problem in people with T1D.

Association of Primary Care Continuity With Outcomes Following Transition to Adult Care for Adolescents With Severe Mental Illness

IMPORTANCE

Adolescents with severe mental illness often age out of pediatric care without a clear transfer of care to adult services. The extent to which primary care provides stability during this vulnerable transition period is not known.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the association between primary care continuity during the transition from pediatric to adult care and need for acute mental health services in young adulthood.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This population-based cohort study used linked health and demographic administrative data for all adolescents aged 12 to 16 years with severe mental illness ascertained by hospitalization for schizophrenia, eating disorder, or mood disorder between April 1, 2002, and April 1, 2014, in Ontario, Canada. Participants were followed up through March 31, 2017. Data were analyzed from July 2018 to January 2019.

EXPOSURES

Continuous primary care (same physician as baseline [age 12-16 years] always or sometimes), discontinuous primary care (visits to a primary care physician during the transition period who was not the patient's usual physician), and no primary care during the transition period (age 17-18 years).

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Mental health-related hospitalizations and emergency department visits in young adulthood (age 19-26 years) adjusted for sex, rurality, neighborhood income, mental illness type, and health service use before transition.

RESULTS

Among 8409 adolescents with severe mental illness (5720 [68.0%] female; mean [SD] age, 14.8 [1.2] years), 5478 (65.1%) had continuous primary care, 2391 (28.4%) had discontinuous primary care, and 540 (6.4%) had no primary care during the transition period. Youths with no primary care during transition were more likely to be male (57.2%), have lower socioeconomic status (31.5%), and have no usual primary care practitioner at baseline (25.6%). Compared with continuous care, patients with discontinuous and no primary care had an increased rate of mental health-related hospitalization in young adulthood (adjusted relative rate, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.10-1.30; and adjusted relative rate, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.08-1.56, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In the context of decreasing outpatient specialist mental health visit rates following transition to adult care, ensuring adequate access to primary care during this vulnerable period may improve mental health outcomes in young adulthood.

Transition from paediatric to adult care: a qualitative study of the experiences of young adults with type 1 diabetes

AIM

The aim of the present study was to explore how young adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) experienced the transition from paediatric to adult health care services.

DESIGN

A qualitative, explorative design was used.

METHODS

Eleven young adults with T1D receiving adult diabetes care at a hospital in western Norway participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using Interpretive Description, an inductive approach inspired by grounded theory, ethnography and phenomenology, and specifically designed to explore phenomena in clinical practice aiming to generate new knowledge and skills.

RESULTS

Four main themes regarding the adolescents' experiences of the transfer from paediatric to adult care emerged: (i) limited information about the transition; (ii) transition from frequent, thorough and personal follow-up to a less comprehensive and less personal follow-up; (iii) the importance of being seen as a whole person; (iv) limited expectations of how the health care services were organised.

CONCLUSIONS

The study showed that the existing routines for transfer between paediatric and adult care are not optimal. The participants expressed that they were not prepared for the dissimilarities in follow-up and were predominantly less pleased with the adult care follow-up.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

The findings support a need for structured transition programmes, that is programmes that contribute to young adults with T1D receiving a safe and positive transition at an otherwise demanding life phase. Young peoples' individual needs for the transition to and follow-up in adult care may be promoted by an approach based on person-centred care.