Abstract Body

Objectives: We explored parents’ experiences of using a hybrid closed-loop system (CamAPS FX) when caring for a very young child (aged 1-7 years) with type 1 diabetes to better understand how this technology can affect their own, their child’s and wider family life.

Methods: We interviewed n=33 parents of 30 children who used the closed-loop system during a randomised controlled trial (KidsAP02 study). Data were analysed using a descriptive thematic approach.

Findings: As well as highlighting clinical benefits to using the closed-loop system, parents reported wide-ranging quality-of-life benefits. Parents described sleeping better and worrying less about their child due to the system’s ability to help keep glucose in range and their own ability to remote monitor insulin and glucose data. Parents also described being better placed to get on with their own lives (e.g., returning to employment) as caregiving demands were lessened, other people felt more confident caring for their child, and parents felt more confident entrusting their child’s care to others. They also noted how their child had more opportunities to socialise with peers and experienced improved concentration and mood due to better glucose control, improved sleep and not being distracted by diabetes management tasks. Siblings also benefited from parental time and effort no longer being so focused on diabetes management.

Discussion: Our findings suggest that, alongside clincal benefits, using a closed-loop system can have life changing consequences for parents, young children with type 1 diabetes and their siblings.