PATIENT PERCEPTIONS OF NON-INSULIN INJECTION DEVICES FOR TYPE 2 DIABETES

Injection devices are commonly used for administration of treatment for type 2 diabetes (T2D). These medications vary in their injection delivery systems, which could impact patient preference. This qualitative study was designed to understand patients’ experiences with non-insulin injection delivery systems. Concept elicitation interviews were conducted until reaching saturation in the US, UK, and Germany with patients with T2D who have experience with non-insulin injection treatment. Interviews focused on experiences with devices used to administer these medications. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 32 patients. Participants reported liking and disliking a wide range of injection device features. Device characteristics mentioned as positives included injection preparation (n = 30), injection comfort (28), needle characteristics (28), confidence in dose delivery (28), injection frequency (25), dose selection (25), disposal (24), time requirements (24), device size (23), injection site (23), appearance (22), storage (22), portability (21), and dosing schedule (20). Negatively perceived features included needle characteristics (18), portability (16), lack of discreetness (15), storage (15), preparation (14), difficulty using device appropriately (12), size (11), comfort (11), multiple parts (10), confidence in dose delivery (9), dosing schedule (7), injection timing (7), and injection site (7). When asked what they would like to change about non-insulin injectable devices, the most common responses were characteristics of the needle (n=8), requirements for injection preparation (n=6), or the need for multiple device parts (n=6). Patients reported a wide range of injection device features that influenced their perceptions of non-insulin injection devices. Several of these features are not captured by currently available measures of satisfaction with insulin and other diabetes treatment. A patient-reported measure focusing on features important to patients treated with non-insulin injectable medications would be a useful tool for assessing patients’ experiences with these treatments and associated injection devices.