Evaluation of a Systems Navigator Model for Transition From Pediatric to Adult Care for Young Adults With Type 1 Diabetes
- Norma Van Walleghem, MSC, RD, CDE1,
- Catherine A. MacDonald, BFA2 and
- Heather J. Dean, MD, FRCPC3
- 1Diabetes Education Resource for Children and Adolescents, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- 2Building Connections: The Maestro Project, Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- 3Department of Pediatrics, Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Corresponding author: Norma Van Walleghem, nvanwalleghem{at}exchange.hsc.mb.ca
Abstract
OBJECTIVES— To determine whether a systems navigator service, The Maestro Project, could increase medical surveillance for young adults with type 1 diabetes who transfer from pediatric to adult care.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS— There were two cohorts of participants: 1) a younger group (aged 18 years, n = 82) who had the assistance of the navigator as they graduated from pediatric care and 2) an older group (aged 19–25 years) who were transferred to adult care without this initial support but later enrolled in the program.
RESULTS— Of the older group (who did not have initial access to the navigator), 40% dropped out of adult medical care, compared with a dropout rate of 11% for the younger group, who had access to the navigator at the time of transfer from pediatric care.
CONCLUSIONS— The systems navigator helped improve medical surveillance for both groups, although there was no evidence of improved short-term medical outcomes.
Footnotes
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Published ahead of print at http://care.diabetesjournals.org on 5 May 2008.
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- Received December 10, 2007.
- Accepted April 28, 2008.
- DIABETES CARE
