Continuous glucose monitoring empowers adolescents to take responsibility of diabetes management

Abstract

Background: Managing diabetes is especially challenging for adolescents, and they often struggle to believe they can manage the condition. Illness perception has been widely associated with better diabetes management outcomes, but the influence of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) on adolescents has been largely neglected.

Aim: The study aimed to explore the illness perception of a group of adolescents living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) using CGM.

Setting: The study was conducted at a medical centre that provides diabetes care services to youth living with T1D in Parktown, South Africa.

Methods: A qualitative research approach using semi-structured online interviews was used to gather data that was thematically analysed.

Results: Themes emerging from the data confirmed that CGM creates a sense of control over diabetes management as blood glucose measures were more visible. A sense of normalcy was established as CGM influences a new routine and a way of life, integrating diabetes into a young person’s identity. Despite the users’ awareness of being different due to diabetes management, CGM assisted in creating a sense of belonging, contributing to developing a better quality of life.

Conclusion: Findings of this study support the use of CGM as a means of empowering adolescents struggling with diabetes management to achieve better treatment outcomes. The important role of illness perception in facilitating this change was also evident.

Contribution: By listening to the adolescent’s voice, CGM was identified as a possible intervention to empower adolescents to improve diabetes management.