title: Multidisciplinary diabetes team care: the experiences of young adults with Type 1 diabetes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This research examined whether young adults with Type 1 diabetes engage with the multidisciplinary consultation process and if not, then why.
  
  
  METHODS
  We designed a web-based self-reported survey, available online from February to May 2011, for Australian adults 18-35 years with Type 1 diabetes. Respondents were asked about which clinicians they consulted to assist with self-management. To expand on the results of the survey, we interviewed 33 respondents.
  
  
  RESULTS
  
  
  
  METHODS
  Respondents (n = 150) consulted with the following clinicians: endocrinologist and diabetes educators: 23.3%; endocrinologist only: 18.0%; endocrinologist, diabetes educators and dieticians: 14.6%; endocrinologist, diabetes educators, dietician and general practitioners (GP): 11.3%; endocrinologist and GP: 10.6%; GP only: 4.6%; all clinicians recommended to assist with self-management: 1.3%; 2.7% did not consult any clinician. Interview: Participants (n = 33) reported eight key disincentives to consultation with multidisciplinary clinicians. These were time constraints; provision of conflicting advice; inaccessibility of health services; variation in service standards; cost constraints; failure of clinicians to refer to other clinicians; lack of opportunity to build a therapeutic relationship; and failure of clinicians to engage in shared decision making.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results indicate that high attrition rates of young adults with Type 1 diabetes from recommended diabetes health services is linked to the failure of those services to meet the needs and preferences of their patients. The identified needs and preferences included joint consultation with multi-disciplinary team clinicians; flexible access to advice by email or telephone consultation; and shared decision making. Patient engagement in health-service re-design has implications for improved health-service delivery and enhanced treatment outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Clinical Governance Research in Health, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Janice
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wiley
authors.affiliation: Centre for Clinical Governance Research in Health, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Westbrook
authors.affiliation: Centre for Clinical Governance Research in Health, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Long
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacology, St Vincent's Hospital, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Jerry R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Greenfield
authors.affiliation: Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Richard O
authors.initials: RO
authors.lastname: Day
authors.affiliation: Centre for Clinical Governance Research in Health, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Braithwaite
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003657:Decision Making; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D012648:Self Care; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Health-care team; Type 1 diabetes; multidisciplinary team care; patient perspectives; patient-centred care; shared decision-making; young adults