Supporting Adolescents and Young Adults through Digitally Mediated Type 1 Diabetes Transition Care: A Qualitative Descriptive Study

Abstract

Objective. The time during which adolescents and young adults (AYAs) living with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) transition from pediatric to adult care is associated with blood sugar levels outside of target ranges, care gaps, and an increased risk of acute diabetes complications. The aim of this study was to understand (1) the perspectives of AYAs and providers about the strengths, challenges, and opportunities of transition care and (2) the role of digital technologies in supporting the transition to adult care. Research Design and Methods. We conducted a qualitative descriptive study that involved 43 semistructured interviews in French or English with AYA living with T1D (aged 16–25; n = 22) and pediatric or adult diabetes health care providers (HCPs) (n = 21). Results. We identified three themes. First, transition care is not standardized and varies widely, and there is a lack of awareness of transition guidelines. Second, virtual care can simultaneously hinder and help relationship‐building between providers and AYA. Third, AYAs value a holistic approach to care; both HCPs and AYA highlighted the opportunity to better support overall mental wellbeing. Conclusions. The design of digital technologies to support T1D transition care should consider methods for standardizing holistic care delivery and integrating hybrid diabetes care visits to support access to transition care. These findings can inform future transition intervention development that leverages existing transition guidelines, targets holistic care model integration, and considers quantitative diabetes metrics in conjunction with broader life experiences of AYA when providing transition care.