Purpose: The purpose of the 2-phase study was to determine patient/family and clinician design preference, usability, and comprehension of ambulatory glucose profile (AGP) reports.
Methods: A cross-sectional research design employing 2 phases was conducted. Patients and parents (n = 139) reviewed an educational guide and AGP report during a clinician consultation. They were directed to identify glucose trends before answering a design preferences and usability survey. Clinicians (n = 17) completed questionnaires about patients and personal experiences, design preferences, and expected future usability. Further study of the AGP (n = 21) evaluated a draft display AGP continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) + pump report, enhanced after the aforementioned blood glucose monitoring (BGM) and CGM survey through interviews using both scripted and unscripted questions.
Results: Patients identified glucose trends/patterns in all AGP reports (100% BGM; 98% CGM; 95% CGM + pump). Patients and clinicians felt that the single-page report added value both in and outside of the clinic, preferred this standardized data view compared to traditional device-specific reports, and saw value in the AGP combination of statistics and graphs. Insulin data were seen as useful but increased the difficulty of report interpretation; only 38% were able to accurately interpret the data and make self-treatment recommendations.
Conclusions: Patients feel that the AGP report (BGM, CGM, CGM + pump) is useful for identifying new glucose patterns/trends. Patients report more confidence in making self-care adjustments (behavioral, lifestyle, and treatments) using the AGP report. For shared decision-making, the AGP report serves both patients' and clinicians' needs.
