Barriers to uptake of open-source automated insulin delivery systems: Analysis of socioeconomic factors and perceived challenges of adults with type 1 diabetes from the OPEN survey (26 December 2022)

Summary

This multinational research study in the journal Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice aimed to investigate perceived to people with diabetes adopting and maintaining open-source automated insulin delivery (AID) systems. 129 participants with type 1 diabetes from 31 countries were recruited online to elicit their perceived barriers towards the building and maintaining of an open-source AID system.

The study identified a range of structural and individual-level barriers to the uptake of open-source AID, including:

• sourcing the necessary components
• lack of confidence in one's own technology knowledge and skills
• perceived time and energy required to build a system
• fear of losing healthcare provider support

Some of these individual-level barriers may be overcome over time through the peer-support of the DIY online community as well as greater acceptance of open-source innovation among healthcare professionals. The findings have important implications for understanding the possible wider use of open-source diabetes technology solutions in the future.

Further reading

How safe are closed loop artificial pancreas systems?