Patient Perspectives and Experiences From Participation in the Glycemic Excursion Minimization Prediabetes Intervention: A Qualitative Study

PurposeOf the 88 million American adults with prediabetes, 1.5 million transition to type 2 diabetes annually. Lifestyle changes could delay progression to type 2 diabetes development. Glycemic Excursion Minimization/Glucose Everyday Matters (GEM) is a self-guided intervention that empowers individuals via a guide paired with a continuous glucose monitor and activity monitor to understand how dietary and activity choices impact their blood glucose excursions. This qualitative study aimed to explore participant perspectives and experiences of GEM.DesignSemi-structured qualitative interviews.SettingThe study was conducted at an urban medical center. Interviews took place via HIPAA compliant Zoom.ParticipantsParticipants from a larger clinical trial who completed the GEM intervention for prediabetes (n = 16).MethodInterviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. Using two coders, iterative cycles of inductive thematic analysis was performed to yield overarching themes related to the GEM guide and intervention.ResultsAnalysis of 16 interviews revealed five major themes which highlighted the positive outcomes in health status, disease insight and support experienced during the GEM trial.ConclusionKey findings included increased knowledge on the relationship between lifestyle choices and glucose excursions, and positive insight on the GEM intervention and its components. Feedback from this study will be incorporated into further adoption of the GEM intervention for a prediabetes population.