The Kovler Diabetes Center
In Transit Program
The In Transit Program of the University of Chicago Kovler Diabetes Center offers a unique, comprehensive approach to help adolescents, teens and young adults make an effective transition from parental care to self-care, and from the pediatric clinical model to an adult clinical model.
This unique, one-of-a-kind program in the United States draws together a full range of resources at the University of Chicago Medical Center:
- Outstanding clinical services from pediatric and adult care teams, including multidisciplinary specialists on-site to address the many dimensions of diabetes and its complications (cardiology, podiatry, neurology, ophthalmology, etc.)
- Active programs in basic and clinical research
- Access to the most advanced technologies (pumps, sensors, monitors) and medications, including investigational interventions.
- Comprehensive patient education programs tailored to the unique emotional, physical and social needs of young teens, older teens, and young adults.
- Supportive care for young people and their families
The Need
With the decrease in pediatric endocrinologists across the country, many young people who have diabetes in childhood are moved from pediatric practices to adult practices during their middle teen years - typically between the ages of 14 and 18. Despite the clinical expertise of most adult endocrinologists, many are not prepared to address the unique characteristics of this age group, including their changing physical development, emotional challenges, and varied levels of maturity. This leaves young people with diabetes at risk during a critical period of their lives.
More importantly, most teens are not ready emotionally to move to an adult care model. Although eager to establish their independence in certain areas of their lives, they may not be willing to accept the responsibility that accompanies the move to diabetes self-care. Generally, they don't see themselves as adults. Younger teens may not understand the complexities of glucose monitoring and insulin management; older teens may struggle with anything from erratic sleep and work/school schedules, to junk food or eating disorders, to peer pressure to explore alcohol or drugs. They may not understand how their diabetes raises the stakes even higher.
Among leading hospital-based pediatric diabetes programs in the U.S., there is a dearth of structured programs to help children transition from pediatric care to adult, self-managed care. The In Transit Program addresses this gap by specifically targeting adolescents and teens with comprehensive education and support to prepare them for the transition to adult endocrinology and self-care.
Please contact us to learn more and schedule an appointment:
(773)702-2371
