Young Adult Clinic Pilot Program to Improve Diabetes Care at UMass Memorial
The UMass Memorial Diabetes Center of Excellence launched a Young Adult Clinic pilot program designed to help 18 to 26 year-olds who are struggling with any aspect of living with type 1 of type 2 diabetes. The care team includes Endocrinologist Prateek Shukla, MD, Nurse Practitioner Clare Foley and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist Cheryl Barry.
They explore the young people’s unique issues and create personalized care plans to help them achieve their health goals. Resources are provided and peer to peer communication is encouraged between participants.
“We identify areas where they’re having the most difficulty and create a personalized care plan that is attainable,” said Dr. Shulka. “Whether they’re dealing with uncontrolled blood sugars or diabetes burnout, this program is designed to provide guidance to help them succeed.”
Diabetes can be particularly difficult to manage when transitioning from pediatric to adult endocrinology care. Type 1 diabetes is associated with high rates of burnout, which is more prevalent in adolescents and young adults. Type 2 diabetes can be reversible in its early stages, particularly in young people. Students attending Worcester’s colleges and universities are invited to participate in the program.
“Many of those young people are away from home for the first time and dealing with additional stress and life changes,” said Barry. “Diabetes education provides situational problem solving and offers emotional support in addition to daily blood glucose management.”
The program, funded by The George F. and Sybil H. Fuller Foundation, helps young people take control of their diabetes by addressing clinical, psychological and/or socioeconomic issues. The UMass Memorial Diabetes Center of Excellence offers a library of education materials on topics including nutrition, physical activity, diabetic ketoacidosis, and high blood & low blood sugar. Additionally, the Young Adult Clinic reflects other needs such as pregnancy, contraception, alcohol, and recreational drugs. Help is provided navigating the complexities of the healthcare system & insurance policies to obtain diabetes medication & supplies.
The pilot program will run for two years with interim data analysis at 12 months followed by a complete report after 30 months.
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