Abstract
The benefits of medical devices are often multifaceted and may have an important impact on patients’ and relatives’ physical, mental and/or social well-being. Diabetes is a metabolic disorder and a continuous subcutaneous glucose monitoring sensor can suggest increasing treatment satisfaction. The purpose of this study was to describe parents’ experiences during their daily lives and support needs when a child uses a Flash Glucose Monitoring system (FGM). Twenty parents (n = 3 men vs. n = 17 women) to children (age ranged between 22 months and 16 years) with diabetes disease type 1, treated with an FGM unit (used for an average of 7 months (range 1–72)) at home, participated in this study. A qualitative questionnaire survey with open questions including follow-up dialogues was distributed to the parents, and collected data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Overall satisfaction with the Libre device was Md 10 (IQR 9.25–10). One main theme “Advances in technology significantly improved everyday life” emerged from 2 categories: Improvements in quality of life and Elements of challenges. In conclusion, this qualitative study determined that parents of children with DMT1 experience a great improvement in daily life when given the opportunity to use the Libre device.
Highlights
More than 1.1 million children and adolescents under the age of 20 live with type 1 diabetes [1]
Blood glucose can be measured by the patient themselves with test sticks or continuously via a continuous subcutaneous glucose monitoring (CGM) sensor
Perez et al [15] had earlier concluded that parents to a child with T1DM considered that social activities were often limited, but our informants described that, when using the Flash Glucose Monitoring system (FGM), children could participate in social and physical activities without complications
Summary
More than 1.1 million children and adolescents under the age of 20 live with type 1 diabetes [1]. Diabetes is characterized by complete or partial lack of insulin, which leads to elevated blood sugar (glucose) levels and the overall prevalence of diabetes has been estimated to be about 8% of a population [2]. Good control of the blood glucose level is important to avoid the sequelae of diabetes. Blood glucose levels are affected by several factors such as diabetes medications, dietary intake, and physical activity and needs to be evaluated both in the short and long term. If CGM is not available, 7 to 10 plasma glucose checks per day are usually needed for satisfactory glucose control. This is quite stressful and painful for most children especially young children and very disturbing at night [4]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
