‘We’re all on the same team’. Perspectives on the future of artificial pancreas systems by adults in Australia with type 1 diabetes using open‐source technologies: A qualitative study

Abstract

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.

Improved Glycemia and Quality of Life Among Loop Users: Analysis of Real-world Data From a Single Center

“…Qualitative interview data were coded deductively by the research team using NVivo 12 (QSR International) [19], after the data-driven inductive generation of the code structure (Multimedia Appendix 1). This deductive code structure was developed inductively from our data in addition to the consideration and inclusion of common themes identified in previous DIY AID user interview studies [20][21][22]. Overarching themes were constructed from the participants' viewpoints and reflexive thematic analysis was performed by AM [23].…”

User‐driven, open‐source diabetes technology: Challenges and opportunities in diabetes care?

“…The strength of the emotional bonds within this community is captured well in this collection of papers by the contribution of Schipp et al 5 Importantly, however, the authors also highlight that even with this strong sense of community between peers, most users of open‐source AID systems would still prefer to have a positive and supportive interaction with their healthcare providers. Yet, open‐source AID systems present healthcare professionals with several challenges in relation to their role and what level of support they can provide.…”

“…As more systems with more advanced functionality emerge, it is possible that the net‐risk calculations of open‐source AID users will also begin to attach more weight to regulatory approval or commercial availability. There is, however, also good reason to suppose that, motivated by data and algorithm transparency and the level of individualized control, some users will continue to seek out and use open‐source solutions 5 . The current attempt to acquire FDA approval for the Loop control algorithm represents an interesting initiative, offering something of a hybrid alternative to the absolute dichotomy between commercial and open‐source and it will be interesting to see how this process evolves.…”