David Robbins, M.D., director of the diabetes transition clinic, said teens and young adults who learn to manage diabetes are better able to monitor and control it, avoiding life-threatening complications.
Growing up with Diabetes
KU physicians work to help young patients manage diabetes into adulthood
Diabetes is complicated. So is life — especially if you’re a teen or young adult. That’s the inspiration behind the new diabetes transition clinic at the KU Medical Center. One of the first in the U.S., it’s intended to help teens and young adults learn to manage diabetes during the critical years of growing independence.
The clinic, now in its beginning stages, addresses all aspects of care — medical, dietary and psychosocial — and provides peer support. In addition to counseling and care, patients will receive specially programmed cell phones to help monitor the disease, and they’ll meet to share experiences and learn from each other. Social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter will further enhance their communication.
Dr. David Robbins, director of the medical center’s Cray Diabetes Self-Management Center, said the Kansas City area has outstanding pediatric endocrinologists to care for children who have diabetes. But when patients turn 18, they face a medical situation characterized by overworked endocrinologists, 10-minute doctor visits and long waits for appointments.
Combined with complex life events such as leaving home, starting college or starting relationships, this creates potential pitfalls. “Diabetes inflates all of those challenges associated with growing up,” Robbins said, “because the very essence of diabetes is fighting a loss of control.”
In the full version of this story, physicians — and diabetes patient Orion Kincaid, at 27 a 10-year diabetes veteran — discuss new responses to the growing challenge of diabetes.
To see it and many other stories, please visit Issue 9 of our magazine, KU Giving.
Be part of this
The Diabetes Transition Clinic has received funding for one year. Continuation depends on donor support. Give online at kuendowment.org/diabetes, or contact
Peggy Person, 913-588-5441.
Visit our Publications page for other issues of KU Giving and other publications.