Psychosocial aspects of current diabetes technologies

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) provides information unattainable by intermittent capillary blood glucose: real-time display of glucose level and rate of change of glucose, and alarms for actual or impending hypo- and hyperglycaemia. In combination with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (the sensor-augmented pump) further impressive benefits were observed. Despite some initial difficulties, patients' experiences are overwhelmingly positive. They reported of improved glycaemic control, diet and exercise self-management, satisfaction with therapy, quality of life, as well as reduced rate of hypoglycaemia and frequency of self-monitoring of blood glucose. The main prerequisites for successful use of current diabetes technologies are realistic expectations on necessary effort, time and achievable goals. In addition patients' willingness to honestly discuss their glucose data, comprehensive diabetes knowledge and coaching by an experienced diabetes team are essential. The structured CGM-education SPECTRUM programme imparts not only necessary technical skills. Furthermore it focusses on psychological measures to sustainably support and preserve the motivation to use current diabetes technologies by patients and diabetes team members.