title: Transition to adult endocrine services: What is achievable? The diabetes perspective.
abstract: Transition is defined as the 'purposeful, planned movement of adolescents and young adults with chronic physical and medical conditions from child-centred to adult-oriented health care systems' by Blum RW, (2002). The primary goal of transition is to ensure an uninterrupted process in healthcare delivery between the paediatric and adult settings; however, losses to follow up and decreased engagement with specialist services are common during this time. The current transition literature specifically pertaining to type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is often limited by incomplete data, the absence of control data and lack of follow up data spanning both the paediatric and adult years. This paper serves to review the current transition literature base, highlighting areas which warrant further study.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology & Diabetes, The Royal Children's Hospital, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia. Electronic address: mary.white@rch.org.au.
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: White
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology & Diabetes, The Royal Children's Hospital, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia. Electronic address: Drmichele.oconnell@rch.org.au.
authors.forename: Michele A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: O'Connell
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology & Diabetes, The Royal Children's Hospital, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia. Electronic address: fergus.cameron@rch.org.au.
authors.forename: Fergus J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Cameron
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000628:therapy*; D019468:Disease Management; D004704:Endocrinology; D006801:Humans; D059012:Lost to Follow-Up; D060305:Transition to Adult Care; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: adolescent; diabetes mellitus; transition to adult care; type I; young adult