Evaluation of a Systems Navigator Model for Transition From Pediatric to Adult Care for Young Adults With Type 1 Diabetes

OBJECTIVES To determine whether a systems navigator service, The Maestro Project, could increase medical surveillance for young adults with type 1 diabetes who transfer from pediatric to adult care. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS There were two cohorts of participants: 1) a younger group (aged 18 years, n = 82) who had the assistance of the navigator as they graduated from pediatric care and 2) an older group (aged 19-25 years) who were transferred to adult care without this initial support but later enrolled in the program. RESULTS Of the older group (who did not have initial access to the navigator), 40% dropped out of adult medical care, compared with a dropout rate of 11% for the younger group, who had access to the navigator at the time of transfer from pediatric care. CONCLUSIONS The systems navigator helped improve medical surveillance for both groups, although there was no evidence of improved short-term medical outcomes.