Diabetes Specialist Discusses Challenges and Opportunities of Technology in Diabetes Management

by Santanu

 


Technology has played a significant role in diabetes management in recent years, but are the guidelines for its use outpacing the uptake in practice? In a recent Diabetes Dialogue interview, Grazia Aleppo, MD, a diabetes specialist at Northwestern Medicine, discussed the challenges and opportunities presented by diabetes technology.

Aleppo notes that while technology such as continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and insulin pumps can be incredibly helpful for diabetes management, they also require a significant amount of education and support to use effectively. Patients and healthcare providers need to be well-informed about how to use these devices and interpret the data they provide in order to achieve the best possible outcomes.

However, not all patients have access to these technologies, and even those who do may face barriers to adoption. Financial considerations, lack of insurance coverage, and language barriers can all make it difficult for patients to access and effectively use diabetes technology.

Despite these challenges, Aleppo believes that technology has the potential to revolutionize diabetes care, particularly with the development of artificial pancreas systems that can automatically regulate insulin delivery. However, she emphasizes that it is important for healthcare providers to work closely with patients to ensure that they have the education and support they need to use these devices safely and effectively.

Overall, the use of technology in diabetes management is an important and evolving area of healthcare. By working to overcome barriers to adoption and providing education and support for patients and providers, we can work towards improving outcomes and quality of life for individuals living with diabetes.