A new paper recently co-authored by Dr. Laura Buchanan, MD, a board-certified family medicine physician at Dr. Tro’s Medical Weight Loss, demonstrates improvement in A1C and weight when using continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) in a group medical visit setting (GMV). The aim of this study is to assess the utilization of CGMs in a GMV setting to improve patient activation and engagement, quality of life, and metabolic outcomes including glycemic control through modified lifestyle behaviors in patients with Type 2 diabetes.
Published December 27th, 2022 in the International Journal of Diabetes and Clinical Research, the report is titled “Utilization of Continuous Glucose Monitors in a Group Medical Visit Setting”. The paper demonstrates the results from seven GMVs every two weeks in conjunction with CGMs for subjects with type 2 diabetes. As a result, there was a significant reduction in HbA1c of 0.4% and 6.4 lbs of weight loss by the end of the study. Additionally, 38.5% of participants decreased their HbA1c to the pre-diabetes range.
Subjects also found the CGMs empowered them to make lifestyle changes to improve their blood sugar. Many reported they would continue to wear a CGM, if cost permitted, as it helped them better understand how meals, stress, and physical activity affected their glycemia. Furthermore, most reported that their improved understanding changed what they consumed. Meanwhile, no participants reporting negative effects of using the CGM.
“Although we were not specifically recommending a low carbohydrate diet for these individuals, they naturally transitioned their diets to lower carb foods as they realized the improvements they could have in their blood sugar. I am hoping with more research showing the health improvements and patient empowerment from CGMs, that insurance companies will start covering them for patients not requiring insulin.”, says Dr. Buchanan.
Article Information:
Link: Utilization of Continuous Glucose Monitors in a Group Medical Visit Setting
PDF: Utilization of Continuous Glucose Monitors in a Group Medical Visit Setting
