Examining Patient Characteristics Associated With Digital Outpatient Care for Type 1 Diabetes (DigiDiaS):...

Area of Science:

• Digital health
• Diabetes management
• Patient care models

Background:

• Type 1 diabetes requires continuous self-management and follow-up.
• Digital care models offer flexible and sustainable solutions.
• Patient characteristics influencing digital care adoption are unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify sociodemographic and disease-related factors associated with choosing digital outpatient care for type 1 diabetes.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study at a Norwegian university hospital.
• Adult type 1 diabetes patients chose between digital (DigiDiaS) or usual care.
• Data collected via medical records, national registry, and validated questionnaires (PAM-13, PAID-20, WHO-5, HLS-19 Q12).

Main Results:

• 78.1% opted for DigiDiaS care.
• DigiDiaS users had shorter diabetes duration (19 vs. 29 years) and higher insulin pump use (40% vs. 23.1%).
• DigiDiaS users reported lower well-being scores (60 vs. 68).

Conclusions:

• Most type 1 diabetes patients select digital care when available.
• Digital care adopters are often technology-familiar, have shorter diabetes duration, and lower well-being.
• Understanding usual care patient profiles is crucial for equitable healthcare delivery.