Physicians' Perceptions of Care for Emerging Adults With T1D

Conclusion

As emerging adults with T1D seek diabetes care from endocrinologists and PCPs, we feel that it is important to ascertain the perspective of the physicians caring for this population in order to begin to address challenges associated with the transfer from pediatric care and establishment of adult care. We observed that endocrinologists describe themselves as better prepared to assume the diabetes management of emerging adults with T1D, whereas PCPs feel better prepared to screen and treat depression. The significance of the latter needs to be interpreted with caution, given that depression in diabetes may be a spectrum that includes diabetes-related distress, depressive symptoms, and major depressive disorder. Our preliminary results require validation. Nevertheless, our results suggest exploration of a comanagement model between endocrinologists and PCPs and assessment of the impact of such a model on care and outcomes of emerging adults with T1D.