Researchers from the Barbara Davis Center (BDC) within the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus http://ucdenver.edu/anschutz have launched a major clinical study using telehealth to target young adults (18-25) with type 1 diabetes (T1D).
In total, over $1 million has been donated for the study including $960,000 from the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust http://helmsleytrust.org. In addition, the BJC has contributed $190,804 to the program bringing the total to $1,150,834.
“Young adults struggle more managing their diabetes than any other age group, and we must find a better approach,” said Primary Investigator Jennifer Raymond, M.D, Assistant Professor of Pediatric Endocrinology at CU Anschutz. “Unless things improve, this population will continue to be at high risk for hospitalizations, early complications, and even death.”
Co-Investigator Fred Thomas PhD, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Epidemiology at the CU School of Medicine, said “We know that young adults have many competing demands like work, school, friends, and social activities so management of diabetes is not at the top of their list. The goal is to use resources that young adults already are familiar with such as iPads, smart phones, and laptops.”
Research shows that patients this age are not meeting hemoglobin A1C targets, not checking blood sugars as recommended, and routinely miss insulin doses. The program will build on the success of an existing high school age study group called “Team Clinic”, a program also run at the BDC.
The Team Clinic model is streamlining clinical care delivery to the challenging high school patient population. However, the Team Clinic model is now going to be studied to see if this model can provide solutions for the slightly older demographic (18-25) group.
The new telehealth study for the 18-25 group referred to as the “Colorado Youth Type 1” is designed to maximize the benefits of peer support by delivering care in a technology driven young adult-focused model to mitigate the sense of isolation that often accompanies chronic illness.
The BDC and Children’s Hospital Colorado www.childrenscolorado.org have collaborated closely for several years. Over the last three years, the BDC and Children’s have successfully used telehealth for young BDC patients with diabetes mellitus living in Wyoming and communities in Western Colorado. The program has enabled patients to schedule follow-up appointments at facilities closer to home while maintaining continuity with pediatric endocrinologists at the BDC.