Acceptability and experiences of real-time continuous glucose monitoring in adults with type 2 diabetes using insulin: a qualitative study

Oscar T Sergel-Stringer; Benjamin J Wheeler; Sara E Styles; Alisa Boucsein; Claire S Lever; Ryan G Paul; Rachael Sampson; Antony Watson; Martin I de Bock

doi:10.1007/s40200-024-01403-9

Acceptability and experiences of real-time continuous glucose monitoring in adults with type 2 diabetes using insulin: a qualitative study

J Diabetes Metab Disord. 2024 Mar 5;23(1):1163-1171. doi: 10.1007/s40200-024-01403-9. eCollection 2024 Jun.

Authors

Oscar T Sergel-Stringer^{1

2}, Benjamin J Wheeler^{1

3}, Sara E Styles⁴, Alisa Boucsein¹, Claire S Lever^{5

6

7}, Ryan G Paul^{5

6

7}, Rachael Sampson^{5

7}, Antony Watson⁸, Martin I de Bock^{8

9

10}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Women's and Children's Health, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, 201 Great King Street, Dunedin, 9016 Aotearoa New Zealand.
² University of Otago, 2 Riccarton Avenue, Christchurch, 8011 Aotearoa New Zealand.
³ Department of Paediatrics, Te Whatu Ora Southern, Dunedin, Aotearoa New Zealand.
⁴ Department of Human Nutrition, Division of Sciences, University of Otago, 70 Union Street West, Dunedin, 9016 Aotearoa New Zealand.
⁵ Waikato Regional Diabetes Service, Te Whatu Ora, Hamilton, Aotearoa New Zealand.
⁶ Te Huataki Waiora, School of Health, University of Waikato, TT Building Hillcrest Road, Hamilton, 3240 Aotearoa New Zealand.
⁷ Aotearoa Diabetes Collective, 170 Collingwood Street, Waikato, Hamilton, 3204 Aotearoa New Zealand.
⁸ Department of Paediatrics, University of Otago, 4 Oxford Terrace, Christchurch, 8024 Aotearoa New Zealand.
⁹ Department of Paediatrics, Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury, Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand.
¹⁰ Department of Paediatrics, University of Otago, Christchurch, 8140 Aotearoa New Zealand.

Abstract

Aims: To explore the lived experiences of initiating real-time continuous glucose monitoring (rt-CGM) use in individuals with type 2 diabetes using insulin.

Methods: Twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted amongst individuals with type 2 diabetes taking insulin who were enrolled in the 2GO-CGM randomised controlled trial and had completed 3 months of rtCGM. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed to identify common themes regarding their experiences.

Results: The interviews revealed three key themes: i) rtCGM as a facilitator of improved health behaviours; ii) the acceptability of rtCGM systems compared to capillary blood glucose testing; and iii) barriers to the continual usage of rtCGM technology - including: connection difficulties, longevity of the sensors, and local cutaneous reactions to the sensor adhesive.

Conclusion: Adults on insulin with type 2 diabetes find rtCGM systems widely acceptable, and easier to engage with than traditional self-monitoring of capillary blood glucose.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40200-024-01403-9.

Keywords: Experiences; Glucose monitoring; Real-time continuous glucose monitoring; Self-monitoring of blood glucose.