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Published on: May 31, 2024
Parents' experiences of using a hybrid closed-loop system (CamAPS FX) to care for a very young child with type 1
Barbara Kimbell1, David Rankin1, Ruth I Hart1
1Usher Institute, Medical School, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
Insights
Parents using hybrid closed-loop systems (CamAPS FX) for young children with type 1 diabetes reported significant benefits, including improved normality and reduced diabetes management workload. This technology enhances family life and may decrease healthcare professional involvement.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Health Psychology
Background:
- Type 1 diabetes management in young children presents unique challenges for parents.
- Hybrid closed-loop systems offer automated insulin delivery but require parental oversight.
- Understanding parental experiences is crucial for technology adoption and optimization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore parental experiences with the CamAPS FX hybrid closed-loop system in children aged 1-7 years with type 1 diabetes.
- To identify the perceived benefits and challenges of using this technology in a real-world setting.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative descriptive thematic analysis of interviews with 33 parents.
- Participants were part of a randomized controlled trial using the CamAPS FX system.
- Focus on parental experiences and perceptions of system use.
Main Results:
- Parents reported significant clinical benefits and reduced diabetes-related workload.
- Automated glucose control enhanced family "normality," improving sleep, reducing worry, and increasing confidence.
- Parents appreciated system customization features (Ease-off, Boost) and smartphone insulin delivery, suggesting device refinements.
Conclusions:
- Hybrid closed-loop systems can improve quality of life and promote normality for families with young children with type 1 diabetes.
- The technology may reduce the demand for healthcare professional input.
- Customization of systems for very young children is essential for optimal outcomes.
Aims:
To explore parents' experiences of using a hybrid closed-loop system (CamAPS FX) when caring for a very young child (aged 1-7 years) with type 1 diabetes.
Methods:
Interviews with n = 33 parents of 30 children who used the system during a randomised controlled trial. Data analysis used a descriptive thematic approach.
Results:
While some parents were initially reticent about handing control to the system, all reported clinical benefits to using the technology, having to do less diabetes-related work and needing less clinical input over time. Parents welcomed opportunities to enhance the system's efficacy (using Ease-off and Boost functions) as required. Parents described how the system's automated glucose control facilitated more normality, including sleeping better, worrying less about their child, and feeling more confident and able to outsource care. Parents also described more normality for the child (alongside better sleep, mood and concentration, and lessened distress) and siblings. Parents liked being able to administer insulin using a smartphone, but suggested refinements to device size and functionality.
Conclusions:
Using a hybrid closed-loop system in very young children can facilitate greater normality and may result in a lessened demand for health professionals' input. Systems may need to be customised for very young children.
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