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Gap exists between intention, use of technology among diabetes educators
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Diabetes educators in Australia reported that they intended to use insulin pump therapy, continuous glucose monitoring, apps and videoconferencing with their patients with type 1 diabetes; however, actual reported use of diabetes technology was not enough to support effective disease management, according to results from a recent survey.
“Findings indicate discrepancies and dissonance between [diabetes educators’] strongly positive intentions toward use of common diabetes-related technology for patients with [type 1 diabetes] and their reported actual usage, which is only occasional and probably inadequate for patient support,” Steven James, RN, CDE, of the University of Technology in Sydney, and colleagues wrote. “Continuing education using the principles of adult learning may be key in supporting [diabetes educators] to align their intentions with their practice.”
James and colleagues conducted an anonymous, Web-based questionnaire, based on the technology acceptance model, among members of the Australian Diabetes Educators Association through their electronic newsletter (n = 228; mean age, 47 years; 26 men; mean years spent in diabetes education, 8). Exploratory factor analysis revealed a 5-factor solution comprising confidence and competence, improving clinical practice, preparation (intentions and training), ease of use and subjective norms. Researchers used logistic regression analyses to identify factors that predicted the intention and use of technology.
The majority reported using continuous subcutaneous insulin infusions, continuous glucose monitoring systems and apps with patients, but usage was occasional.
Within the cohort, 80.3% reported using insulin pump therapy; 65.4% reported using continuous glucose monitoring; 69.7% reported using apps; 36.4% reported using videoconferencing. Significantly more respondents with experience working with pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes reported using continuous glucose monitoring, apps or videoconferencing; more diabetes educators living outside of major cities reported using videoconferencing. Diabetes educators self-reported confidence and competence, as well as their preparation (intentions and training), consistently positively predicted the actual use of all four technologies. Lack of ease of use was a negative predictor of both insulin pump therapy (OR = 0.75; 95% CI, 0.63-0.9) and continuous glucose monitoring use (OR = 0.72; 95% CI, 0.58-0.9).
“Embedding engagement with technologies within [diabetes educators’] practice may help maintain and improve patients’ communication and engagement with diabetes services and with this their self-management of their diabetes,” the researchers wrote. “While this
may necessitate some resource reconfiguration, findings suggest how this may be approached to maximize realization of the potential benefits of these new, but now common, diabetes technologies.” – by Regina Schaffer
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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