Smart Pens: Expectations Regarding Use and Functionality From Health Care Providers
Authors' conclusion
Smart pens are underutilized compared to expectations. Cost and reimbursement remain the predominant barriers, while reminder functionality stands out as the most valued feature.
Study context
- Population
- Diabetes specialists and diabetes educators (HCPs) in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Spain; survey November–December 2024, part of the 2025 dt-report
- Participants
- 1,294 HCPs
- Outcome
- Smart pen use, indication, valued features and barriers (HCP estimates and ratings on 5-point scales)
Methodological detailsonline survey, multinational
- Online survey
- Multinational
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Estimated current smart pen use, T1D
- 4% to 15%
- Estimated current smart pen use, T2D
- 3% to 6%
- Indication rate, T1D
- 51% to 73%
- Indication rate, T2D with intensive insulin therapy
- up to 69%
- Rating: reminders for missed insulin doses
- 4.4 ± 0.7
- Rating: bolus dose suggestions
- 4.1 ± 0.8
- Rating: integration with continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) apps
- 4.1 ± 0.8
- Rating: temperature alerts
- 3.7 ± 1.0
- Rating: basal insulin suggestions (less important)
- 3.3 ± 1.1
- Barrier: preference for disposable pens
- 57%
- Barrier: limited device options
- 54%
- Barrier: high cost
- 53%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Physicians vs diabetes educators
- No significant differences between physicians and diabetes educators
Cost reimbursement concerns, DE respondents
- Concerns over cost reimbursement rose compared to the 2024 dt-report
Original publication
Smart Pens: Expectations Regarding Use and Functionality From Health Care Providers. J Diabetes Sci Technol. Published 23 May 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →