INITIATING CGM OVER TELEHEALTH IS WELL ACCEPTED BY PARENTS OF NEWLY DIAGNOSED YOUTH WITH T1D

ABSTRACT

Background and Aims: Initiating continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) shortly after T1D diagnosis has potential glycemic and quality of life benefits for youth with T1D and their families. The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a rapid shift to virtual delivery of CGM initiation visits. We aimed to understand parents' experiences with receiving virtual care to guide starting CGM within 30 days of diagnosis. Methods: We held focus groups and interviews with parents of T1D youth who initiated CGM over telehealth within a month of diagnosis during the COVID-19 pandemic. We used a semistructured interview guide to understand experiences of starting CGM virtually. Groups and interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Participants were 16 parents (age 43±6 years;63% female) of youth (age 9±4 years;47% female;47% non-Hispanic White, 20% Hispanic, 13% Asian, 7% Black, 13% other;diabetes duration 9±3 months) who started CGM through a virtual visit within 30 days of diagnosis. Parents described multiple benefits of the virtual visit convenience and ease of scheduling;user friendliness;and being in the comfort of home, especially for young children. Most preferred the virtual format to in-person;three parents would have preferred in-person to develop their confidence in starting CGM. Participants felt that clinics should offer families a choice of virtual and in-person for CGM initiation in the future. Conclusions: Despite initial reservations, most parents appreciated receiving telehealth CGM initiation education and felt it should be an option offered to all families. Further efforts can continue to enhance CGM initiation teaching virtually to address identified barriers.