Overcoming Barriers to Diabetes Technology
Monday, June 26, at 1:30 p.m. PT
Room 29
San Diego Convention Center
Presentation: Overcoming Barriers to Technology in Primary Care
Thomas W. Martens, MD
Medical Director,
International Diabetes Center
What is your presentation about?
Diabetes technology has revolutionized the management of diabetes in endocrinology practices, but uptake in the broader world of primary care has been slow. This presentation will review the current state of diabetes technology use in primary care, and consider strategies to overcome barriers to broaden access to all individuals who would benefit from technology in managing their diabetes.
What makes this topic important in 2023?
While diabetes management technology has become significantly more sophisticated and easier to use over the last 5+ years, use of diabetes technology beyond glucose monitoring devices in primary care settings remains limited. At the same time, measures of the quality of our diabetes management have stagnated. The potential for increasing quality while decreasing the burden of management for broad populations of individuals with diabetes rides on our ability to leverage care innovations across the care spectrum, and especially in primary care settings.
How did you become involved with this area of diabetes research or care?
As a primary care clinician with an active internal medicine practice who also is involved in diabetes research, the translational aspects of implementing diabetes innovations is a primary focus of what I do both clinically, and in research.
How do you think your presentation will impact diabetes research or care?
As researchers, clinicians, representatives of industry, and individuals with diabetes, we all are working to move the science of diabetes care forward. Pushing the dialogue regarding the practical implications of optimizing technology use across the broader care spectrum will be critical to fully realize the benefits of diabetes technology.
What are you most looking forward to at the 83rd Scientific Sessions?
I love the energy and focus on improving diabetes management and care for everyone at the Scientific Sessions!