Understanding inequities in access to diabetes technologies in children and young people with type 1 diabetes: Qualitative study of healthcare professionals' perspectives and views
Authors' conclusion
Our findings suggest that without targeted interventions, technology inequities may continue to persist amongst CYP from the most and least deprived areas and from white and ethnic minority groups in the United Kingdom. Additionally, our findings suggest that closing the technology gap will require large-scale governmental and health policies aimed at fostering socioeconomic, ethnic and cultural equality alongside targeted measures to improve technology accessibility.
Study context
- Population
- Healthcare professionals working in paediatric diabetes in England, from 15 purposively selected sites
- Participants
- 29 professionals15 sites
- Outcome
- Healthcare professionals' perceptions of factors underlying inequities in technology access in CYP with T1D
Methodological detailssemi-structured interviews, thematic analysis, purposive site sampling
- Semi-structured interviews
- Thematic analysis
- Purposive site sampling
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Themes on inequities in technology access
- Multiple, often overlapping barriers to technology access for children and young people (CYP) with T1D from deprived and/or ethnic minority backgrounds
- Deprivation and complex social, ethnic and cultural factors reinforce disparities in technology access
- Staffing shortfalls a significant barrier, especially for under-represented groups perceived as needing more staff time for training
- Unconscious bias perceived as less prominent, but less likely to recommend technology (especially pumps) to CYP/caregivers feared unable to use it safely and effectively (e.g. low literacy)
- Geographical variability in technology commissioning ('postcode lottery')
Original publication
Understanding inequities in access to diabetes technologies in children and young people with type 1 diabetes: Qualitative study of healthcare professionals' perspectives and views. Diabet Med. Published 29 November 2024. doi:10.
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