'We're all on the same team': A qualitative studyPerspectives on the future of artificial pancreas systems by adults in Australia with type 1 diabetes using open-source technologies

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

Aims An emerging group of people with type 1 diabetes are not waiting for commercial solutions, choosing to manage their condition with open-source artificial pancreas systems (APS). Our aim was to explore their perspectives on the future of APS. Methods Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted (in Australia, October 2018 to January 2019) with 23 adults with type 1 diabetes currently using open-source APS. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically. Results Participants described five key features of open-source APS they value: compatibility, user-led design, customisability, ability to evolve faster and community-driven. They attributed the success of the open-source APS movement to benefits they derive from these features: choice, solutions that meet their needs, ownership, staying one step ahead and real-time support. They expressed hope that future commercial products and healthcare would benefit from their learnings and from collaboration with the open-source APS community. Conclusions Participants believed that there will always be a place for the open-source community. It will continue to build on and advance commercial products, respond to user needs, offering a higher degree of control and customisation than afforded by commercial products and generating optimism for the future. Participants desired that future commercial diabetes technologies would be inspired by the open-source community and developed collaboratively with people with diabetes.

Original languageEnglish
Article number14708
JournalDiabetic Medicine
Volume39
Issue number5
Number of pages7
ISSN0742-3071
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022

    Research areas

  • automated insulin delivery system, DIYAPS, hybrid closed-loop device, open-source artificial pancreas system (APS), psychosocial, technology, type 1 diabetes

ID: 281801437