A recent study from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus has shown that primary care clinics can effectively help patients begin using continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), devices that track blood sugar levels in real time.
The study, published in BMC Primary Care, involved 76 primary care practices across Colorado, which tested two approaches for initiating CGM use. One approach offered a self-guided option using educational tools developed by the American Academy of Family Physicians, while the other involved referring patients to a virtual CGM initiation service staffed by primary care professionals.
Practices with in-house diabetes care specialists were more likely to opt for the self-guided method, while those without specialists preferred the virtual service. Despite this difference, the results were largely similar across the practices.
Kimberly Wiggins, MA, MEd, lead author of the study and instructor in family medicine at the University of Colorado, called the findings significant for people with diabetes, particularly those without easy access to diabetes specialists. “This shows that new models can help bridge gaps in diabetes care, allowing patients to start CGM use and transition back to their primary care providers,” she said.
CGMs, small devices worn continuously, track blood sugar levels throughout the day, eliminating the need for frequent finger-prick tests. They offer patients greater insight into how food, exercise, stress, and medication affect their blood sugar, potentially leading to improved health outcomes and fewer complications.
However, despite these benefits, fewer than half of U.S. primary care doctors have prescribed CGMs.
Tamara Oser, MD, senior author and professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, noted that both methods of CGM initiation proved effective. “Even clinics without diabetes experts on staff were able to successfully offer CGMs through the virtual service,” she said.
This study is particularly valuable for people in rural areas or those facing insurance challenges or long wait times for specialist care. Oser emphasized that the approach could make CGMs more accessible, helping more people manage their diabetes, regardless of where they live or the type of clinic they visit. “This is another step forward in improving care for the 38 million people living with diabetes in the U.S.,” she added.
The research is part of a broader initiative to expand diabetes care through primary care providers rather than relying solely on specialists. The goal is to increase the use of CGMs, helping more individuals achieve their diabetes management goals.
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