Psychosocial Impact of the Bionic Pancreas During Summer Camp

Authors: Weissberg-Benchell, J., Hessler, D., Polonsky, WH., Fisher, L.

Abstract

Background: The psychosocial impact of the bionic pancreas (BP) was assessed among children attending diabetes camp.

Methods: Nineteen children were randomly assigned for 5 days to the BP condition and 5 days to the control condition in a crossover design.

Results: Significant reductions in hypoglycemic fear and regimen burden were found. Children felt less burdened or worried about diabetes and felt freer to do things they enjoyed while using the BP. Children wished the BP responded to out of range numbers faster and expressed annoyance about carrying around the necessary equipment.

Conclusions: Children may experience improved psychosocial outcomes following use of BP while expressing key areas of user concern. Future studies in less controlled environments with larger sample sizes can determine if these findings are generalizable to other groups.

Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26993252/

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BDI Monthly Events

BDI hosts the San Diego-wide, monthly case consultation meeting (for mental health professionals working in the field of diabetes). Contact us at [email protected] if you are in the greater San Diego area and would like further information about this program.

It will be a busy time for BDI staff at the American Diabetes Association’s 85th Scientific Sessions (Chicago, IL). Exciting new study results to be presented, new projects to be discussed, and old friends to see.

At the Abbott Diabetes Care booth at this years ADA Scientific Sessions in Chicago Il, Dr. Guzman, BDI Director of Clinical Education, will be moderating the panel discussion, Above the Bias.

At the American Diabetes Association’s 85th Scientific Sessions (Chicago, IL), Dr. Polonsky, BDI President, will be speaking on Tell Me Why—Using CGM to Drive Changes in Diabetes Self-Care. He also serves a co-author on six poster presentations on that day:

At the American Diabetes Association’s 85th Scientific Sessions (Chicago, IL), Dr. Fisher, BDI Research Director, will present Reducing Diabetes Distress Leads to Positive Glycemic Change—Results from the EMBARK Trial

August 8 – 10. Taking Control of Your Diabetes (TCOYD) will be hosting the in-person ONE event, an amazing weekend experience here in San Diego for more than 500 people with type 1 diabetes and their loved ones. Dr. Polonsky is honored to be one of the presenters, and we will hope to see many of you there. There are still a few spaces left, so if you’d like to know more, please visit: