857-P: Attitudes of Physicians to Chances, Risks, and Future Options Regarding Digitalization and New Technologies in Diabetes

Abstract

There are few results on physicians’ attitudes towards digitalization and new technologies in diabetes care. In this study we asked diabetologists in Germany about their attitudes regarding digitalization and new technologies in diabetes care. A total of 326 physicians completed the survey (42,6% female; mean age: 52.2 years). Per facility, 243 people with diabetes used Flash sensor-based glucose monitoring (iscCGM), 69 used real-time continuous glucose monitoring (RCGM), and 86 used CSII. 76% of physicians reported a positive or very positive attitude towards digitalization in diabetes care and 76% of physicians rated the potential of digitalization to improve diabetes therapy as large to very large. Major advantages of digitalization referred to better communication with the patient (71.6%), decision support with therapy decisions (66.8%) and more empowerment for patients (62.3%). The three major barriers were unclear payment of digital services (80.0%), legal issues (50.3%), and high investment costs (46.5%). Currently, the most important topics are software for the analysis of glucose data (rank 1) better compatibility of different systems (rank 2) and AID-Systems (rank 3). The current and gain of importance withnin the next 5 years (in brackets) is assessed as follows: Software for the analysis of glucose data 72,3% (+15,9%); AID-Systems 22,9% (+58,6%); Apps (26,7% (+41,8%); Telemedicine 9,6% (+37,7%). In summary, most physicians have a very positive attitude toward digitalization and perceive the potential of digitization as very high. Especially the importance of AID systems will increase. For the actual implementation in clinical routine, however, it is also important to consider the barriers described by diabetologists. Disclosure B. Kulzer: Research Support; Self; Abbott, AstraZeneca, Berlin-Chemie AG, Roche Diabetes Care. Speaker’s Bureau; Self; Abbott, Ascensia Diabetes Care, Berlin-Chemie AG, Eli Lilly and Company, Medtronic, Novo Nordisk Inc., Roche Diabetes Care. N. Hermanns: Advisory Panel; Self; Roche Diabetes Care. Research Support; Self; Abbott, AstraZeneca, Berlin-Chemie AG. D. Ehrmann: Speaker’s Bureau; Self; Abbott, Berlin-Chemie AG, Glooko, Inc. Other Relationship; Self; Dexcom, Inc., Roche Diabetes Care. L. Heinemann: Consultant; Self; Becton, Dickinson and Company, LifeCare, Inc., Roche Diabetes Care. Stock/Shareholder; Self; Profil Institute for Clinical Research. Funding Berlin-Chemie AG