Child & Youth Diabetes Strategy

Transition in Youth with Diabetes
The MVP (Mentoring and Volunteering with Peers) Program

University of Calgary

Focus: Transition from pediatric to adult services, volunteering and peer mentoring

Target Population: Youth aged 16-21 with diabetes

Reach: Calgary Region

Grant:  $255,000

Project Goal

To assess the role of volunteering and peer mentoring on diabetes outcomes in youth with diabetes during the transition period from pediatric to adult care services.

Project Overview

The transition period from pediatric to adult diabetes services is associated with high rates of medical drop-out, worsening glycemic control and increased hospitalizations. During transition, youth with diabetes are also three times more likely to die than their age-matched peers. To address this gap, the project team started a Technology-Enhanced Transition Coordinator program which uses various technology-based communication tools, such as a website, Facebook, Twitter, texting and email, to support youth with diabetes during transition. Subsequent feedback from youth highlighted the need for increased social engagement with peers. This project will expand the Transition Coordinator program and assess the role and effectiveness of volunteering and peer mentoring activities in lowering the rate of loss to medical follow-up during transition, improving diabetes health outcomes, and increasing patient satisfaction with care and diabetes-related quality of life indicators. Alberta Children’s Hospital, Divisions of Endocrinology and Metabolism (pediatric and adult), the University of Calgary, the Calgary Diabetes, Hypertension, and Cholesterol Centre and Alberta Health Services Primary Care and Chronic Disease Management are partners in the study.