Lori M. Laffel, United States of America

Harvard Medical School Joslin Diabetes Center
Dr Lori Laffel is Chief of Pediatric, Adolescent and Young Adult Section; Senior Investigator/Head of Section on Clinical, Behavioral and Outcomes Research; and Professor of Pediatrics at Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School. She has published nearly 300 articles in peer-reviewed journals. She has been on Advisory Board of International Society of Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD) and a member of Clinical and Research Advisory Committees for JDRF. Dr. Laffel is involved with American Diabetes Association (ADA), as member of Boston Leadership Board, past member of National Board of Directors, Committee for Professional Practice Guidelines, co-chair on Working Group on Transition, and past chair of ADA’s Youth Strategies Committee. She is a member of ADA’s Pathway Mentor Advisory Program. Dr. Laffel is a global editor for Diabetic Medicine. Her research focuses on understanding and overcoming challenges to diabetes self-management in order to improve glycemic control and other biomedical and psychosocial outcomes. Her research also aims to optimize use of diabetes technologies, including CGM and automated insulin delivery. She is recipient of NIH and foundation-funded grants. She received ADA’s 2015 Outstanding Physician-Clinician Award, Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce 2016 Pinnacle Award, and 2016 University of Miami School of Medicine Hall-of-Fame Award.

Presenter of 3 Presentations

PARALLEL SESSION

Patient preferences for automatic insulin delivery

Abstract

Abstract Body

The current year has heralded a revolution in automated insulin delivery (AID) systems. There are currently 2 approved AIDs in the United States with anticipation of a 3rd approved system within the next few months, in addition to the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) systems. Shortly thereafter, we expect a number of other AID systems to become available globally. In order to ensure uptake of these advanced diabetes technologies, it is important to understand patient preferences.
A number of studies have employed qualitative research methods to understand the desires of persons with diabetes of all ages, from childhood through older aged adults as well as the care providers of children and significant others of adults. It is important to keep in mind the need for realistic expectations of what current systems can and cannot do with respect to insulin automation. For example, there continues to be need for meal announcements with carbohydrate entry. Future advanced systems may mitigate this requirement.
At this time, it remains important to understand patient preferences with regard to type of device (e.g., on-body, pod device vs. tubed insulin pump that can be removed as needed during wear). In addition, use of continuous glucose monitors (CGM) remains critical in such systems; therefore, preferences with regard to CGM must be also considered. It is also important to understand the various controllers and where such controllers reside (e.g., in pump, on handheld device) that implement the AID algorithm. This session will include review of various studies reporting patient preferences.
Hide
PARALLEL SESSION

Telemedicine for routine follow up T1D pediatric visits

Abstract

Abstract Body

The covid-19 pandemic saw an urgent need for virtual diabetes clinics to ensure ongoing longitudinal care of young people living with type 1 diabetes. This urgent situation yielded substantial experience at multiple centers globally with need to implement telehealth, accompanied by reimbursement for such services. Previous to the pandemic, a number of centers had implemented virtual care, especially in areas where reimbursement was not based upon a fee-for-service model (like in the USA) or where there was need to deliver remote care due to deficient numbers of trained diabetes expert in more remote areas. Telehealth during the pandemic allowed for routine follow-up as needed, aided by availability of cloud-based data acquired from advanced diabetes technologies, including continuous glucose monitors and insulin pumps. Such easily accessible data made telehealth visits especially effective. Indeed, the emphasis on diabetes data collection for the care of people with diabetes is very well-suited to virtual care delivery. In the USA, reimbursement is available for monthly review of CGM data, again adding support to telehealth.
Virtual care is not new, as it was a mainstay of the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT), in which weekly telephone visits, along with monthly face-to-face visits, followed attainment of target glucose levels for the duration of the study for those intensively treated. The frequent telephone calls during the DCCT would supplanted by video calls with today’s technologies. It remains critical to document the utility of telehealth in order to continue these efforts after the pandemic, given the ease with which data can be accessed and patients can receive care, thereby saving time and potentially costs of care delivery. Further, telehealth makes it easy to have more frequent visits for those in suboptimal control or for those at great distance from specialized diabetes centers who are unable to access needed diabetes expertise locally. Thus, it is important to demonstrate non-inferiority of care when delivered virtually compare with face-to-face.
Hide
PARALLEL SESSION

Introduction

Moderator of 1 Session

PARALLEL SESSION
Date
Wed, 02.06.2021
Session Type
PARALLEL SESSION
Session Time
20:10 - 21:20
Room
Hall B