A qualitative study exploring patients’ experiences regarding insulin pump use

BACKGROUND: Diabetes is a threat to peoples’ lives around the world, particularly in the Middle East. Medicine misuse and poor glycaemic control are prevalent among patients with type 2 diabetes, especially insulin-dependent patients (Alsairafi et al., 2016). With advances in medical technology, insulin pumps became a treatment option for patients with type 1 diabetes and those with insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes. However, use of these devices is still lacking in Kuwait, particularly in patients with type 2 diabetes. Information on how patients manage these devices and their efficacy and safety from the perspectives of patients is also lacking (Alsaleh et al., 2016). OBJECTIVE: To examine the views and experiences of adults with type 2 diabetes regarding the use of insulin pumps compared to their previous insulin delivery methods, in terms of glycaemic control, quality of life, preference, convenience and adherence to doses. SETTING: The main five secondary-care hospitals in Kuwait: Mobarak Al-Kabeer, Al Amiri, Al Adan, Al Farwaniya and Al Jahra. METHOD: All adults with type 2 diabetes who used an insulin pump were invited to participate. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Data analysis was performed using MAXQDA-11. RESULTS: A total of eight patients were interviewed. Interviews with patients revealed that using an insulin pump improved patients’ glycaemic control and quality of life as a consequence of improved satisfaction and adherence to doses. CONCLUSION: From the perspective of adults with type 2 diabetes, there are lots of benefits of using insulin pumps over other insulin delivery methods, mainly seen by the improvement of quality of life and patients’ adherence to doses. Policy-makers and healthcare professionals (HCPs) must be aware of such benefits and should support the wider implementation of this technology in the country by including patients with type 2 diabetes. Results of this study will help to inform healthcare provision and guideline modifications and to provide guidance for new patients using this therapy.