Psychosocial aspects of diabetes technology

Abstract

Aim To identify key psychosocial research in the domain of diabetes technology. Results Four trajectories of psychosocial diabetes technology research are identified that characterize research over the past 25 years. Key evidence is reviewed on psychosocial outcomes of technology use as well as psychosocial barriers and facilitating conditions of diabetes technology uptake. Psychosocial interventions that address modifiable barriers and psychosocial factors have proven to be effective in improving glycaemic and self-reported outcomes in diabetes technology users. Conclusions Psychosocial diabetes technology research is essential for designing interventions and education programmes targeting the person with diabetes to facilitate optimized outcomes associated with technology uptake. Psychosocial aspects of diabetes technology use and related research will be even more important in the future given the advent of systems for automated insulin delivery and the increasingly widespread digitalization of diabetes care.