Giesje Nefs receives fellowship from the Diabetes Fund

Diabetes technology - such as insulin pumps, closed loop systems, sensors, smart insulin pens - is evolving enormously. But there are also concerns about, or false expectations. Giesje Nefs wants to gain more insight into this so she can help people make their choice.

Modern diabetes devices help to better stabilize blood glucose, prevent complications and improve quality of life. Yet many people do not use these devices or use them irregularly. In this project, Giesje Nefs looks at psychological barriers: what thoughts and emotions determine the use of a sensor or insulin pump? And what differences are there between people? 

Nefs focuses on young people and adults with type 1 diabetes, but also on their family members and care providers. Together with them, Nefs collects the information needed to find answers. She does this by using questionnaires and interviews, but also by using stories on the internet and workshops.

Helping with choice

With the information Nefs collects, she wants to help people make a choice about technology, without unnecessary worries and wrong expectations. This too is done in collaboration. As a result, the form of that support fits in well with the needs and wishes of the people concerned. So for one group, perhaps a YouTube video with stories from their experiences, for another a collection of useful questions to ask each other about technology. And for care providers, for example, a workshop on unconscious bias.

Diabetes Fund article (in Dutch).

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