"Empowering Us": A community-led survey of real-world perspectives of adults with type 1 diabetes using insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring to manage their glucose levels.

OBJECTIVE: To conduct an Australian community-led survey of adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D), identifying priorities for, and barriers to, optimal use of advanced glucose management technologies. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A 30-question online survey of current or past users of insulin pump therapy (IPT), real-time continuous glucose monitoring (RT-CGM), or intermittently scanned CGM (isCGM) explored perceptions regarding device design, access, education, outcomes, and support. RESULTS: Between November 2021 and January 2022, surveys were completed by 3,380 participants (age [mean ± SD] 45 ± 16 years; 62% female; 20 ± 14 years diabetes), with 55%, 82%, and 55% reporting experience with IPT, RT-CGM, and isCGM, respectively. Overall, most considered diabetes technology '(extremely) important' for maintaining target glucose levels (98%) and reducing hypoglycaemia severity and frequency (93%). For most, technology contributed positively to emotional well-being (IPT 89%; RT-CGM 91%; isCGM 87%), which was associated with device effectiveness in maintaining glucose in range, comfort, and convenience. Barriers included affordability (IPT 68%; RT-CGM 81%; isCGM 69%) and insufficient information for informed choices about device suitability (IPT 39%; RT-CGM 41%; isCGM 36%). CONCLUSIONS: Technology is perceived by adults with T1D as important for managing glycaemia and emotional well-being. Modifiable barriers to use include affordability, and information regarding device suitability.

Overeaters Anonymous: An Overlooked Intervention for Binge Eating Disorder.

The purpose of this communication is to provide an overview as well as the strengths and weaknesses of Overeaters Anonymous (OA) as an intervention for binge eating disorder treatment. Binge eating disorder is associated with low remission rates, high relapse rates, treatment dissatisfaction, and high rates of failure to receive treatment attributed to stigma, misconceptions, lack of diagnosis, access to care, and inadequate insurance coverage. New interventions are needed that can overcome these barriers. OA is a twelve-step program and established fellowship for individuals who self-identify as having problematic relationships with food or eating. OA can be referred clinically or sought out by an individual confidentially, without a diagnosis, and free of charge. OA's Nine Tools, Twelve Steps, and Twelve Traditions can provide structure, social support, and open, anonymous sharing that fosters a sense of connection and belonging. This may provide benefit to individuals who value structure and social support in their recovery. The tradition of anonymity may also create some challenges for conducting research and may explain the shortage of empirical support. This commentary reviews existing research findings on the effectiveness of twelve-step interventions and OA. Common misunderstandings about and within OA are also addressed and OA's limitations are discussed. Overall, OA provides a promising option for binge eating disorder treatment that warrants clinical research on its feasibility and efficacy in a way that respects and protects its tradition of anonymity.