Preparing Students With Diabetes for Life at College
- From University Health Services, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, Wisconsin
- Address correspondence and reprint requests to David C. Mellinger, Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, University Health Services, University of Wisconsin Medical School, University of Wisconsin–Madison, 1552 University Ave., Madison, WI 53726. E-mail: dcmellin{at}wisc.edu
Editor’s comment: Although few student health physicians at colleges probably read Diabetes Care, many of our readers care for the type 1 diabetic adolescent who matriculates into college. These practical words of wisdom from a physician who cares for these students during their college tenure should prove helpful while we counsel our young patients for their next (diabetes) challenges.
Each fall, ∼2.3 million freshmen enroll in institutes of higher education in the U.S. (1). Of these, ∼7,700 will have type 1 diabetes, based on an estimated prevalence rate of 1 of every 300 (2). As with all chronic illnesses, ongoing issues will certainly arise during the time of their enrollment, so providers need to be able to respond to some of the unique health care and educational needs of students affected by diabetes. This article will provide an overview of some of the situations that students face as they adjust to life at college. To help organize the material, the content that follows is broken down into things to do before matriculation, items to consider once on campus, and some ongoing issues regarding diabetes care while at college.
Before matriculation
Ideally, students with diabetes should meet with their primary care provider or endocrinologist before matriculating at an institute of higher education. Such a meeting enables the clinician to review all aspects of the student’s medical care (3) and to educate the student about some issues that they may not have already considered. Before leaving the prematriculation visit, the student should have a clear understanding of what relationship they will maintain with their home clinician’s office and should ask for copies of their medical records to take with them. Ideally, the student and the clinician should contact the college’s health facility to set up an introductory appointment for the student once they …
