Continuous Glucose Monitor Use and Diabetes Self-Management Behaviors in Adults Managed in Specialty Clinic: Qualitative Descriptive Study

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to explore perceptions of using continuous glucose monitor (CGM) use and how it affects diabetes self-management behaviors in adult patients with diabetes. METHODS: Individual qualitative interviews following a structured script were conducted with 10 adult patients (mean age 31.2, ±14.5 SD) with type 1 or type 2 diabetes seen in an endocrine specialty clinic in the United States. RESULTS: Multiple themes related to diabetes self-management were reported, including nutrition choices, exercise engagement, medication management, endocrine provider communication, and managing hypoglycemia. Furthermore, themes of diabetes distress, including financial concerns over health insurance coverage of CGM supplies and provider communication over supply refills, emerged. CONCLUSION: Study interviews highlight several areas of focus that may help providers incorporate CGM use into diabetes self-management education and management plans. To validate these findings, future quantitative research is needed to better understand how to incorporate CGM use into diabetes self-management education interventions to support healthy behavior change in adults with diabetes.