A new study published in Clinical Diabetes found that people with type 1 diabetes can achieve positive results with new diabetes technology when trained by a primary care provider or through telehealth. Researchers from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and Massachusetts General Hospital concluded that the iLet Bionic Pancreas system – previously studied only in endocrinology settings – could successfully expand care for those who might otherwise struggle to see a specialist.
The study included 40 patients who received care from either primary care or endocrinology clinics, with 20 adults participating in-person and 20 participating via telehealth. Results showed that 97% of all study participants achieved an average glucose level below 183 mg/dL, and 64% reached below 154 mg/dL – key targets for diabetes management.
“This demonstrates that automated insulin delivery technology like iLet can be used effectively by PCPs and through telehealth, making this life-saving technology available to more patients – no matter where they live,” noted Sean Oser, MD, MPH, associate professor in family medicine, CU School of Medicine and lead author of the study.
The iLet Bionic Pancreas simplifies diabetes management by requiring only the user’s weight for setup. The system then automatically determines individualized insulin needs and continually refines basal, correction and prandial insulin dosing. Unlike other systems, it does not require detailed carbohydrate counting. Users make qualitative meal announcements (such as “usual” or “more” or “less”) rather than counting exact carbohydrates, creating a more user-friendly system.
This advancement addresses a critical healthcare gap: 75.3% of US counties lack a single endocrinologist, while 96% have at least one primary care provider. For many patients, especially those in rural communities, visiting diabetes specialists often involves significant travel and expense.
“The latest study proves that with the right training, primary care providers can deliver the same high-quality care using advanced technology without the need for specialized clinics or expensive travel,” Dr. Oser emphasized.
For adults with type 1 diabetes, especially those in rural or remote areas, this technology could significantly improve access to cutting-edge diabetes care that was previously available only through specialty clinics.