Evaluating the impact of an insulin pump discontinuation action plan on patient or caregiver confidence and anxiety.

Aims: Insulin pump failure and adverse events are common and therefore anticipatory education is recommended. Research in other chronic diseases shows written action plans improve confidence and adherence during an acute deterioration. However, no similar data exists for patients with type one diabetes mellitus provided with anticipatory education via an insulin pump action plan. This study evaluates whether an insulin pump action plan improves patient and caregiver confidence in managing a potential pump failure without a subsequent increase in anxiety.

Methods: Adults with type one diabetes mellitus and caregivers of children with type 1 diabetes on continuous subcutaneous insulin infusions across four New Zealand diabetes services participated. Participants completed a questionnaire examining pump-related adverse events and self-reported confidence and anxiety in managing pump failure. An insulin pump action plan and focused education by their diabetes team was provided, with a follow-up questionnaire at least 3 months later.

Results: 174/270 pump patients participated initially, with a follow-up response rate of 84.5% (147/174). Despite prior provision, many could not recall having an insulin pump action plan at study commencement (101/174, 58%), and of these 92% stated they would have liked one. Patients had good levels of confidence in the reliability of their pump and infusion sets/sites (Likert scores of 4.4/5 and 3.95/5) which was not undermined by the insulin pump action plan. Confidence in managing a potential pump failure showed a small but significant increase (3.66/5 to 3.95/5,  = 0.004) present in both adults and parents, with anxiety also showing a small increase (2.16/5 to 2.38/5,  = 0.012).

Conclusion: Patient recall of prior insulin pump action plan education is poor, with the vast majority of patients interested in further written anticipatory education regarding potential pump failure. The provision of an insulin pump action plan increases self-reported confidence in managing unexpected pump failure with a small associated increase in anxiety.