Background: Optimal usage of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) requires adequate training of the users. Providing patients with a CGM system without such a training usually doesn't lead to the intended improvement in metabolic control.
Methods: In Germany we developed a structured training program ("SPECTRUM") to ensure a high quality standard for the use of CGM systems.
Results: This program is suitably for patients of all age groups and is applicable to all CGM systems and all forms of insulin therapy. A curriculum was also developed so that training centers with less experience with CGM could become capable of offering comprehensive CGM training.
Conclusions: We believe that usage of such a program can be an important step forward in achieving more widespread acceptance and use of CGM systems. Translations in other languages and evaluation with a controlled clinical trial are planned.
Keywords: CGM; adolescents; children; continuous glucose monitoring; diabetes; diabetes therapy; educational program; teaching program; training program.