Partnership in transition: Experiences of adolescents with Type 1 diabetes

Abstract

Aims

Debut of Type 1 diabetes (T1DM) is most common in childhood and adolescence. In late adolescence, transfer from pediatric to adult diabetes care is often associated with poor metabolic control. Knowledge is scarce on transition and on the experiences of adolescents concerning partnership in transition. The aim is to explore how adolescents with T1DM experience partnership in the transition.

Methods

Ten adolescents with T1DM receiving adult diabetes care at the Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine at Aarhus University Hospital participated in semi-structured interviews.

Results

Three major themes emerged from the analysis: (1) Transition unawareness. (2) A crucial change in relationship. (3) Partnership without shared decision-making.

Conclusions

Findings highlight the importance of a specific relationship with the health care providers and a planned and prepared transition. Unawareness concerning the transition process leads to a non-reflective transition and does not support the development of health literacy and partnership.

Keywords:

• Type 1 diabetes
• Adolescents
• Transition
• Partnership
• Patient experience
• Qualitative methods

Acknowledgements

We thank all the young people for participating in this study. We would like to acknowledge Peter Peck for editing support.

Conflict of interest

Karina Kudahl Hansen and Annesofie Lunde Jensen declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Source of support

We thank Aarhus University Hospital for funding this study.

ORCID

Annesofie Lunde Jensen http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2025-6663