A national survey of transition from pediatric to adult healthcare providers for adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes: perspectives of pediatric endocrinologists in Korea

PURPOSE: Transition from pediatric to adult healthcare for adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) increases the risk for poor outcomes. This study aimed to describe the circumstances and clinical practice patterns associated with this transition of care based on a nationwide survey of pediatric endocrinologists in Korea. METHODS: An electronic survey regarding the healthcare transition of T1D patients was administered to 143 pediatric endocrinologists registered in the Korean Society of Pediatric Endocrinology. RESULTS: The response rate was 50.2% (n=72). Among responders, 58.3% (n=42) were females, and 70.8% (n=51) worked in academic medical centers. The main reasons for transfer to adult care were request from a patient or family (69.6%) and age ≥18 years (42.0%). Impediments to transition were a long-lasting therapeutic relationship (72.9%) and lack of adult specialists in T1D care (62.9%). Communication between pediatric and adult endocrinologists was via nonstructured patient summary (68.6%) and telephone or email (27.1%). Responders reported that successful transition requires development of transition protocols (79.2%) and a multidisciplinary team approach for transition care (52.8%). CONCLUSION: Transition care of T1D patients is a challenge to pediatric endocrinologists in Korea. Development of transition care protocols for healthcare providers and improvement of diabetes self-management skills for patients are needed.