SUN-193 Qualitative exploration of diabetes care for young adults in the multi-disciplinary Diabetes Collaborative Care for Young Adults (DCCYA) model

Abstract J.D. Vakharia: None. M.D. Theodorakakis: None. E.H. O'Donnell: None. D.J. Wexler: None. Background: Emerging adulthood is a stage in life when young adults experience evolving personal and social roles and responsibilities that add to the complexity of managing chronic health conditions like diabetes mellitus. Young adults with diabetes have a spectrum of developmental readiness and preparedness to independently manage their diabetes; many, if not most, continue to require support and encouragement in achieving self-management efficacy after transition from the pediatric to adult care setting. The Diabetes Collaborative Care for Young Adults (DCCYA) model employees a multi-disciplinary care team of nurses, diabetes educators, physicians, nurse practitioners, and a behavioral health social worker in the adult care setting to provide standard of care for diabetes with a focus on diabetes skills reinforcement, mental health, and social determinants of health for young adults with diabetes. Routine office visits are scheduled as shared appointments with a diabetes nurse educator, physician, and behavioral health social worker experienced with the management of young adults with diabetes. Methods: We conducted one-on-one, semi-structured interviews of young adults with diabetes to identify themes about experience with diabetes care and ideas for improvement to inform DCCYA development. Participants included patients at our diabetes center 18 to 30 years old with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who were either receiving care in the DCCYA model for at least 9 months or were not (usual care). The Framework method was used for thematic analysis. Results: Ten young adults were interviewed (5 DCCYA and 5 usual care). Mean age was 24.8 (± 2.6 years), 4/10 (40%) were female, 8/10 (80%) were white, 8/10 (80%) had type 1 diabetes, and mean duration of diabetes was 11.1 (± 6.1 years). Thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews revealed that DCCYA participants found the experience with the multi-disciplinary care team positive overall. Usual care participants felt that a behavioral health provider as part of their diabetes care team would add value to their care. Participants of both groups felt that areas of improvement for their care could include insurance and financial planning support, a refresher on diabetes education, and access to young adult peer groups.Conclusion: Young adults with diabetes at our center desire integrated care, beyond medical management, particularly in the areas of mental health, financial support, and community building. DCCYA redesign will utilize its multi-disciplinary team to incorporate these elements and improve care for our young adult patients. Sunday, June 2, 2024