Australia - Study calls for dedicated workforce in youth diabetes care

Citation

(2012), "Australia - Study calls for dedicated workforce in youth diabetes care", International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, Vol. 25 No. 8. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijhcqa.2012.06225haa.006

Australia - Study calls for dedicated workforce in youth diabetes care

Article Type: News and views From: International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, Volume 25, Issue 8

Keywords: Diabetes management in young people, Healthcare access for young adults, Transition from paediatric to adult healthcare

Young people with diabetes are being overlooked by the Australian healthcare system with almost half of 18 to 24-year-olds not getting the support they need to begin adult care, a new study shows.

The Youth Transition Survey asked young people living with type 1 and type 2 diabetes about their experience in moving from child to adult healthcare.

The study found that 71 per cent of the 14 to 17-year-olds surveyed and almost half of the 18-24-year-olds had never discussed adult services with their child-focused healthcare team.

Professor Susan Sawyer, Chair of the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) Diabetes in Youth Working Party, says the figures are alarming.

“If young people become disconnected from health professionals their diabetes management can suffer, greatly increasing their risk of developing complications like kidney disease and blindness in later life,” she said.

“These young people need to be given the best possible chance of living long, healthy and complication-free lives.”

The study also found that just 12 per cent of the 14 to 17-year-olds and 26 per cent of the 18 to 24-year-olds surveyed knew which adult service they would use.

The survey report recommends a more dedicated workforce and the introduction of a Transition Liaison Coordinator program to stop young people with diabetes falling through the gaps when they outgrow child or adolescent care.

“The Transition Liaison Coordinator would support the young person and their family through all stages of transition, from finding an adult endocrinologist to offering advice on financial or emotional support that is often required,” she said.

The concept was discussed with the 1,436 young people who completed the survey, and an overwhelming 91 per cent of them thought it was a positive idea.

Nick D’Addazio has been living with type 1 diabetes since he was 11.

Having recently transitioned from paediatric to adult-focused diabetes services, he says having someone to assist you with the process would be a huge help.

“When you’re 16 or 17 you’ve got so much other things to deal with at school and everything, so moving from child to adult care is not always a top priority,” he says.

“While there’s a bit of talk about transitioning it would be good to have more support and advice.”

Diabetes Australia Chief Executive Lewis Kaplan says like all Australians, teenagers and young adults deserve equal access to healthcare.

“Governments must invest an appropriate amount of resources in new, forward-thinking programs that reduce all potential barriers young people face. It is essential to keep them engaged in the healthcare system if we are to minimise the cost and burden of their diabetes to individuals, families, and to the healthcare system,” he says.

For more information: www.ahha.asn.au