Don't drop the baton on young diabetes patients

Three major diabetes organizations — ISPAD, EASD, and the ADA — have jointly published a consensus statement in Diabetes Care calling for a more structured, proactive approach to transitioning youth with diabetes from pediatric to adult care. The core message: start planning early, because the handoff period is a high-risk window for young patients.

The guidance introduces the PROACT framework (Plan ahead, Re-educate and review, Involve Others, Assess readiness, provide age-appropriate Care, Track outcomes) and breaks recommendations into three phases: pre-transfer, transfer, and post-transfer.

Key Takeaways:

• Transition planning should begin 12–24 months before the anticipated transfer date
• Transfer age should be flexible, roughly 18–25 years, with an adult provider appointment scheduled within 3–4 months of the last pediatric visit
• Adult clinic visits should occur every 3 months during the first year post-transfer
• Tools like transition navigators, joint pediatric-adult clinics, peer support, and telemedicine can help reduce gaps in care

Why it matters: Young adults with diabetes face disproportionately high rates of missed appointments, ER visits, and hospitalizations during care transitions — gaps that can lead to serious long-term complications. This consensus gives clinicians a clear, actionable roadmap to keep patients from falling through the cracks.