START Adolescent Transition Program
The START
adolescent transition clinic has been created to assist diabetic
patients who are 15-21 years of age as they transition to seeing
an adult endocrinologist. It is the goal of our team to provide our patients
with the resources and tools to achieve independence in care.
Why START?
We feel it is important to start discussing this transition at
an early age so that patients know what to expect and have the knowledge they
need to stay healthy and independently manage their diabetes before aging out
of our pediatric practice.
Our START program
includes two nurse practitioners, three diabetes educators and a medical social
worker. Patients are seen by our nurse practitioners for assessment of
readiness to transition as well as coordination of their transition to adult care, by a certified diabetes
educator to receive transition related education/guidance, and a medical
social worker to receive support and assessment of financial
and mental health needs.
Once
their primary endocrinologist identifies that the patient is ready to move
onto an adult endocrinologist, the nurse practitioner will assist in
coordinating transition to the selected adult endocrinologist.
