Senior Digital Health Assessor & Domain Lead, Justine Coburn, and her experience with the fantastic Dexcom Continuous Glucose Monitoring System
Let’s hear from Justine about her experience with Dexcoms Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems…
Over the past year, I’ve had the opportunity to test some of Dexcom’s Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems (CGM) as part of my work assessing the functionality, clinical assurance, data privacy and usability & accessibility of digital health technologies.
Though I don’t have diabetes myself, I was impressed at how straightforward the system was to set up and use. The sensor was easy to use and insert, with minimal discomfort to no pain and the app set up was a breeze for both the iOS and the Android versions. Alternatively, if using a smartphone is out of the question, Dexcom offer an optional receiver that seamlessly connects to the device and displays your data. The simple interface of the app and the customisable alerts ensure a streamlined user experience. Once I got to work on the assessment, I forgot it was even on my arm!
It was clear from the moment I began the different assessments how intuitive and rigorously tested these CGM systems are. Research has shown that continuous glucose monitoring with Dexcom can lead to significant improvements in diabetes management such as an increased time in range, improvements in hypoglycaemia, reduced HbA1c levels and positive changes in diabetes self-management.
Having family members who suffer with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, I couldn’t help but reflect on how a tool like this could make a huge difference to their lives and shake the burden of constant finger pricks and manual blood glucose monitoring. I have seen firsthand the complications and issues that arise with unmonitored diabetes, but with a system like Dexcom, the heavy weight is lifted, and it allows patients to take proactive control in monitoring their diabetes. The ability to monitor glucose levels seamlessly and in real-time offers the potential for better self-management, reduced stress and an improved quality of life for people who must carefully manage their diabetes 24/7.
Our CEO, Liz Ashall-Payne also lives with Type 1 diabetes and shares her experience; “As someone who has lived with type 1 diabetes for a long time, I’ve become accustomed to using technology to manage my condition day-to-day. What’s particularly interesting is how my use of technology has evolved over time. Yes, advancements in products have played a role, but equally important are the changes in my own needs and preferences.”
For example, when I was newly diagnosed, my focus was on gaining information and education to understand and manage my diabetes. During pregnancy, my needs shifted to more specialized support for that specific stage of life. Now, I rely on data dashboards to track trends and make informed decisions. Having access to a variety of tools that I can tailor to my current needs and preferences is absolutely invaluable—it empowers me to manage my diabetes in a way that works best for me at every stage of my journey.’
My experience as an outsider trying out some of Dexcom’s different CGM systems has given me a deeper appreciation for the role health technology has in our lives and the potential ability to empower patients to take control of their health. Dexcom’s suite of CGM systems are designed to cater to all patient demographics for users with differing needs. Clarity also provides remote monitoring for clinicians looking to implement scalable technology into their clinical workflows. By providing real-time data and actionable insights, it supports personalised care, enhances patient engagement and streamlines patient populations.
Written by Justine Coburn, Senior Digital Health Assessor & Domain Lead