8642 Continuous glucose monitor: reclaiming type 2 diabetes self-efficacy and mitigating disparities

Abstract Disclosure: K. Ni: None. C.A. Tampe: None. K. Sol: Employee; Self; Patient accepted job with Dexcom Jan 2024. L. Cervantes: None. R.I. Pereira: None. Context: The increase in continuous glucose monitor (CGM) use has been notable for widening disparities between the least and most socially marginalized. Given access barriers, there is limited CGM patient experience information that is inclusive of those with type 2 diabetes mellitus from socially marginalized backgrounds. Objective: To understand the CGM usage experience across a U.S. Medicaid population with type 2 diabetes at federally qualified health centers (FQHCs). Methods: This qualitative study used semi-structured phone interviews with 28 English or Spanish speaking participants prescribed CGM who were enrolled in a U.S. Medicaid program that subsidized CGM. Audio-recordings of interviews were transcribed and analyzed by inductive thematic analysis. Results: Participants had a median age 56 (interquartile range 48-60) with varying levels of formal schooling (55% with 9 years or less) and were from diverse racial or ethnic backgrounds (57% Hispanic, 18% non-Hispanic Black, 21% non-Hispanic White). Interviews were conducted in English (68%) or Spanish (32%). We identified six major themes: initial expectations and overcoming initiation barriers (subthemes: initial expectations, overcoming initiation barriers), convenience and ease promote daily use (subthemes: benefits over fingersticks), increased knowledge leads to improved self-management (subthemes: increased understanding and knowledge, glucose level self-awareness, motivating healthy behaviors), collaboration with provider and clinical team, improved self-reported outcomes (subthemes: improved glucose and non-glucose targets, positive emotional effect, essential for management), and barriers and burdens are generally tolerated (subthemes: barriers to monitoring, burden of self-monitoring). Conclusions: CGM was experienced as easy to understand and use and viewed as a tool for diabetes self-efficacy. Expanded CGM access for socially marginalized patients with type 2 diabetes can enhance diabetes self-management to help mitigate diabetes outcome disparities. Presentation: 6/2/2024