Usability of a pre-filled insulin injection device in a 3-month observational survey of everyday clinical practice in Australia.
OBJECTIVE
SoloSTAR (SR) is a new pre-filled insulin pen device for administration of insulin glargine and insulin glulisine. This article reports on the usability of SR, as reported by healthcare professionals (HCPs) and participants, in clinical practice in Australia.


METHODS
Individuals with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes were eligible for this 3-month observational survey. Participants were supplied with the insulin glargine SR pens, the instruction leaflet and a toll-free helpline number. Training was offered to all participants. Independent telephone interviews were conducted with participants and HCPs after 6-10 weeks of use of SR.


RESULTS
Overall, 150 HCPs across 93 sites supported this survey. Of these, 65 HCPs (14 doctors; 51 diabetes educators, covering 1669 patients) provided feedback, with the remaining 85 HCPs not responding. All HCPs rated participant training as 'very easy' or 'easy', and most reported that SR had, in their opinion, made training easier (85%) and quicker (98%). Most of the 536 participants reported that ease of learning to use (98%), ease of using (98%) and features (> or = 89%) of SR were 'excellent' or 'good'. SR had positive impacts on various psychological aspects for people with diabetes, including helping overcome reluctance to use insulin, and increasing confidence in their ability to manage their diabetes using insulin.


CONCLUSIONS
In this non-randomized, non-interventional, open-label, observational survey of clinical practice, HCPs reported that SR was easy to teach and easy to use for people with diabetes. People with diabetes reported that SR was easy to use and rated specific features of SR highly. Further follow-up surveys and comparative studies in clinical practice are needed to confirm these findings and to determine the impact of SR in diabetes management.
Carter
John
J
Concord & Hornsby Hospitals, Hornsby, New South Wales, Australia. jcarter@bigpond.net.au
Roberts
Anthony
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004867:Equipment Design; D004869:Equipment Safety; D005260:Female; D040441:Health Educators; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007328:Insulin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D000069036:Insulin Glargine; D049528:Insulin, Long-Acting; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010820:Physicians; D013594:Syringes
D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D049528:Insulin, Long-Acting; D000069036:Insulin Glargine; C479079:insulin glulisine