Literature Review Blog Post #2

Works Cited

• Mellinger, David C. “Preparing Students With Diabetes for Life at College.” Diabetes Care, American Diabetes Association, 1 Sept. 2003, care.diabetesjournals.org/content/26/9/2675.

Summary

• Throughout the reading the author discusses both the obvious and not so obvious obstacles and challenges that student with type 1 diabetes may face when transitioning from home life into college life. As stated in the article, compared to their counterparts those with type 1 need to take extra steps before even thinking about living alone on campus, things they must consider include: meeting with their doctor prior to moving in, ensuring they have all medical equipment and necessities, how and where they will pay for drugs/equipment, and a list of other burdens that follow. Further, the author discusses the topic of what a student with type 1 should and should not do once they are settled into their new campus, relative to the habits of a typical college student. The author discusses making sure you have a roommate or someone you are usually around who knows how to handle an emergency situation of low/high blood sugar. The author also puts into discussion how to maintain a healthy diet while at college, while also being extremely cautious of one's drinking habits as well as how type 1 may interfere with a students sexual activities. 

Author

• What makes the author, Dr. David Mellinger so knowledgeable on the topic of type 1 diabetes and the transition one has into everyday college life is that his expertise is in dealing with his patients which a majority of have type 1 diabetes. Further, many of these patients are either students at universities already or are going to be students. He also is an educator to medical students/residents to various different schools and such across the country. 

Key Terms

• Diabetes Management- to control an individuals diabetes by ensuring they have all drugs, supplies, accommodations, and take the proper steps when transitioning through environments to ensure their short term and long term well being. 
• Insulin Regimen-  the way in which an individual chooses to administer insulin throughout the day

Quotes

• " Fortunately, many young adults with diabetes have health care insurance, which can substantially reduce its financial impact. But even with health insurance, the out-of-pocket expense can be significant" (Mellinger, 2675).
• "Once at school, one of the first things diabetic college students face is deciding who and what to tell others about their diabetes" (Mellinger, 2676).
• "Protection is afforded to people with diabetes under the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act" (Mellinger, 2677).

Value

• This material will help aid me in answering my research question because it provides a list of steps and challenges that students with type 1 are faced with opposed to regular students, when trying to matriculate into college life. While it also lists such challenges faced, it also explains in depth the ways that these college students should deal with such challenges while also giving the common mistakes and hiccups to try and avoid. Further, the article also focuses on how a student with type 1 can maintain a relatively healthy and normal social life while away at college, however it also takes into account the precautions the individual should take when participating in such activities such as drinking alcohol, going out to party, and their sex life.