P1-438 A qualitative study of knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of new diabetes technologies in A&E department

Published Date: 19th September 2023

Publication Authors: Alexopoulou V (S&O), McCaffrey L, McCabe M, Ng SM

Background
In August 2022, the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence recommended that all adults and children with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) should have access to Continuous Glucose monitoring systems (CGM). This guidance will increase the number of T1DM patients who present in the A&E department and the use the new diabetes technologies in clinical practice. In addition, hybrid closed-loop (HCL) systems which integrate CGM and insulin pumps to automate insulin delivery are also being increasingly used.

Aim
We undertook a single-center qualitative study to explore the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of A&E doctors around the new diabetes technologies such as CGM, pumps and hybridclosed loop systems in order to identify specific areas that could be improved.

Methods
We conducted semi-structured interviews with 16 doctors working in A&E department. The interviews were recorded and transcribed and thematic analysis methodology was used to analyse the data.

Results
The vast majority of doctors (87.5 %, 14/16) had encountered T1DM patients with either a CGM, pump or and HCL system. 87.5% described their knowledge around them as insufficient, and 94% (15/16) rated their confidence as extremely low. Other common emotions around the new technologies were fear and anxiety (Table 1). All doctors (16/16) stated that further training around new diabetes technologies would be welcomed as it would improve their confidence (68.75%,11/16) and improve patient care (87.5%, 14/16). The most common areas of interest mentioned are the need for education surrounding the principles of function of the devices, troubleshooting and how to clinically manage common patient presentations.

Conclusions
We recommend that appropriate educational training programs and modules be implemented to support A&E doctors and staff in managing T1DM patients presenting with new diabetes technologies.

 

Alexopoulou, V.; McCaffrey, L.; Mccabe, M.; Ng, SM. (2023). P1-438 A qualitative study of knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of new diabetes technologies in A&E department. Hormone Research in Paediatrics. 96(Suppl. 4), pp.203-204. [Online]. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1159/000533803 [Accessed 28 February 2024].

 

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