DiaBetter Together: Clinical trial protocol for a strengths-based Peer Mentor intervention for young adults with type 1 diabetes transitioning to adult care.

BACKGROUND

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) management is challenging for young adults, who are expected to transfer from the pediatric to adult T1D healthcare system while also managing typical developmental demands (e.g., social, financial, work/school, residential). Many young adults have extended gaps in care before following up in adult care, increasing risk for poor health outcomes. There are few evidence-based programs to support young adults with T1D to promote a timelier transition during this period. This paper reports on the design of DiaBetter Together, a randomized controlled trial to evaluate a 12-month Peer Mentor-delivered intervention compared to usual care among young adults with T1D during the transfer from pediatric to adult care.

METHODS

One-hundred young adults (age 17-25) with T1D and 29 Peer Mentors enrolled in this randomized clinical trial. Peer Mentors are experienced, older young adults with T1D, trained by the study team to share transition experiences and strategies to successfully navigate the adult healthcare system, help young adults prepare for the first adult care visit, and use strengths-based support strategies to teach and model skills for managing T1D-related challenges.

RESULTS

The primary outcome of the trial is HbA1c, and secondary outcomes include time to adult care, engagement in diabetes self-management behaviors, and psychosocial well-being.

CONCLUSION

The goal of this research is to evaluate a developmentally appropriate, supportive intervention that can improve T1D self-management and successful transfer of care during the difficult young adult years and promote optimal T1D health outcomes.