Experiences with diabetes mellitus and implantable insulin pump therapy: a summary of interview data

A semistructured interview was used to elicit information from 23 implantable insulin pump recipients regarding their concerns about having diabetes mellitus, their decision to receive an implantable insulin pump, and their experiences with the pump. Findings indicated that subjects had present and future concerns about having diabetes mellitus and that they wanted an implantable insulin pump primarily to achieve better control of their diabetes. Subjects said their health generally improved after pump implantation and that the pump had minimal interference with their social lives. Although 16 subjects identified concerns about the pump, all subjects said they would decide again for pump implantation.