Up to 52 percent of healthcare professionals indicated that improving access to continuous glucose monitoring systems is the most effective measure to transform the management of type 2 diabetes, according to a study conducted in Europe and the Middle East by Dexcom.
Fifty-seven percent of respondents indicated early education on nutrition and lifestyle, and another 38 percent considered medication a priority for managing a disease that affects 61 million people in Europe, whose daily lives involve a “constant exercise” in balancing meal planning and staying active without fear of glucose fluctuations.
The majority of healthcare professionals supported continuous glucose monitoring as a standard treatment for type 2 diabetes, regardless of whether insulin is used.
Up to 96 percent agreed that people who use multiple daily doses of insulin should have access to continuous glucose monitoring, and another 86 percent believe that people on basal insulin therapy should be offered continuous glucose monitoring.
“This report captures the voices of hundreds of frontline healthcare professionals (…) They have the tools to change the course of type 2 diabetes, but there are barriers, especially for people on basal insulin therapy, that prevent these improvements from reaching everyone who needs them,” said Cristina Rodríguez Escolar, Head of Market Access at Dexcom Spain.
LACK OF KNOWLEDGE AMONG PEOPLE WITH DIABETES
The report notes that, despite this support, many people with type 2 diabetes lack knowledge about continuous glucose monitoring and have expressed the need for more education on the subject.
At the same time, one-third of healthcare professionals stated that budgetary constraints and eligibility criteria are the two issues that most restrict the implementation of continuous glucose monitoring.
“This lack of awareness, coupled with political and budgetary constraints, has created significant barriers to access and adoption. However, among those who are aware of continuous glucose monitoring, expectations about its impact are high,” the text reads.
Notably, Spain updated its reimbursement policies for continuous glucose monitoring to include people with type 2 diabetes on multiple-dose insulin therapy, with the goal of expanding access, a similar approach to that of the United Kingdom.
To drive implementation, training programs for healthcare professionals and the integration of continuous glucose monitoring data into electronic health records are being developed to increase awareness and utilization.
The data also show that 77 percent of those who have never used these systems believe it could improve their quality of life, a fact corroborated by 93 percent of their users, who note that it has led to a “true and effective” improvement in their physical and mental well-being.
In this sense, the authors of the document have called for addressing educational gaps and expanding access to “transform” the way type 2 diabetes is managed and ensure the “sustainability” of the healthcare system.
“This report puts figures on a reality that people with diabetes live with every day. It’s not just about controlling glucose: it’s about being able to enjoy a meal with the family without fear or practicing sports with confidence. Technology is not a luxury; it is an essential tool that gives people back control and the freedom to live fully,” stated Antonio Lavado, president of the Spanish Diabetes Federation (FEDE).
The report also proposes a comprehensive approach to type 2 diabetes, combining education and equitable access to validated technologies, thereby improving both patients’ quality of life and the sustainability of the National Health System (NHS).
