Teens-Connect: Preventive Psycho-education for Transitioning Teens With Diabetes

Teens-Connect: Preventive Psycho-education for Transitioning Teens With Diabetes

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the use of a state-of the art internet psycho-educational program in clinical practice (Teens-Connect), compared to use of a standard and widely available internet diabetes program for youth (Planet D™) in a mixed-method randomized clinical trial design.

The aims are:

1. To evaluate the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of provider-prescribed Teens-Connect (TEENCOPE™+Managing Diabetes) in pediatric diabetes practice compared to prescription of Planet D™.

   The hypotheses to be studied are:

   1. Youth who participate in Teens-Connect will have better metabolic control (A1c) and quality of life (QOL) than those who participate in Planet D.
   2. These effects will be mediated by improvements in stress/coping, self-efficacy, diabetes problem-solving, and self-management.
   3. Teens-Connect prescribed by providers in diabetes clinics will be a cost-effective approach to reduce A1c and improve quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) for youth with T1D.

2. To compare the reach, efficacy, adoption, implementation, and maintenance (RE-AIM) of the two provider-prescribed psycho-educational internet programs.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes for at least 6 months
• Age 11 to 14 years
• English-speaking
• Assent
• Parent/guardian consent to participate in study

Exclusion Criteria:

*Previous exposure to TEENCOPE and/or Managing Diabetes