T1D Exchange attended the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists (ADCES) conference in New Orleans, LA, August 9-12, 2024, with three abstracts accepted for oral and poster presentations. These presentations addressed mental health support, reducing inequities, and effective communication strategies to support positive clinical experiences with diabetes. 

For a closer look at the work T1D Exchange presented, check out the summary below.  

 

Make Clinical Visits More Personal: Lead with Person-First Strength-Based Approaches 

In this presentation, members of the T1D Exchange Quality Improvement Collaborative (T1DX-QI) aimed to address communication strategies for more supportive clinic visits. They accomplished this through simulated skits and debriefs of diabetes visits that demonstrated differences in communication styles and interactions. 

The skits highlighted favorable verbal and non-verbal communication and how thoughtful interactions can create a positive, effective visit with providers.  

“Every member of the healthcare team can serve people with diabetes more effectively through a respectful, inclusive, and person-centered approach,” said T1D Exchange on the use of language with diabetes. When addressed in this way, clinicians can empower individuals living with diabetes while common feelings of shame and judgment dissipate. 

 

Reduce Inequities in Diabetes Outcomes in 10 Practical Steps 

Research suggests significant inequities exist for people living with T1D, which were amplified during the pandemic and exist regardless of hybrid closed-loop systems.  

This presentation aimed to outline strategies and steps with real-world examples to reduce inequities and improve outcomes in diabetes care. Suggested approaches have emerged from the T1DX-QI to improve these existing inequities. These approaches can be put into practice using the 10-step framework established by the T1DX-QI.  

By examining data and processes, contributing factors, and prioritizing solutions, meaningful impacts can be made through minor changes over abbreviated periods.  

A suggested roadmap to CGM equity proposes work in the following areas: 

  • Personal (i.e., data overload) 
  • Interpersonal (i.e., provider bias) 
  • Institutional (i.e., policy and practice standards) 
  • Systemic (i.e., insurance coverage and other barriers) 

T1DX-QI research shows that with concentrated efforts, it is possible to reduce gaps in CGM use by race and ethnicity.  

 

Anxiety and Depression Experiences in Adults with T1D and Perceived Support from Diabetes Care Providers 

Anxiety and depression are common comorbid conditions among people living with T1D. Research suggests these conditions are underdiagnosed, and mental health support remains insufficient in this population.  

In response, this study aimed to assess the rates of anxiety and depression in our online registry and to investigate the perceptions of mental health support offerings from the diabetes care team of registry participants. This was accomplished through an online survey, and the results showed: 

  • 73-84% of participants had minimal/mild anxiety and depression 
  • 16-27% of participants had moderate to severe anxiety and depression 

Moreover, participants expressed a need for more mental health support from their diabetes care team in the form of referrals, in-clinic therapists or social workers, and ongoing conversations with their providers. It is suggested these unmet needs have the potential to decrease the mental burden of managing T1D.