UCL Discovery
UCL home » Library Services » Electronic resources » UCL Discovery

Exploring the complexity of safe insulin management during transfer of care using qualitative methods

Leon, Catherine; Crowley, Clare; Hogan, Helen; Jani, Yogini H; (2025) Exploring the complexity of safe insulin management during transfer of care using qualitative methods. Diabetic Medicine , 42 (8) , Article e70054. 10.1111/dme.70054. Green open access

[thumbnail of Exploring the complexity of safe insulin management during transfer of care using qualitative methods.pdf]
Preview
Text
Exploring the complexity of safe insulin management during transfer of care using qualitative methods.pdf - Published Version

Download (1MB) | Preview

Abstract

AIMS: Managing insulin during care transfers requires improvement. Understanding factors that impact insulin management during this process improves the likely effectiveness of interventions. This study aimed to map the processes involved in managing insulin during transfers of care and the factors that affect them to identify potential areas for safety improvement interventions. METHODS: A qualitative, case study approach was used to undertake documentary analysis, interviews, focus groups and observation. Participants included people with diabetes who use insulin, caregivers and primary and secondary care healthcare professionals. A framework approach guided analysis and subtheme categorisation under the domains of people, tools, tasks or environments. RESULTS: Insulin management during transfers of care was mapped across hospital admission and discharge along with factors that impact this process. Six stages of the care transfer process were identified. Workforce pressures and demand impacted safe insulin management. Four themes were identified: (1) People with diabetes hold vital information not otherwise available, (2) their ability to manage their diabetes care in hospital was limited, (3) healthcare staff lacked confidence managing insulin and (4) people anticipated and acted to prevent known issues. CONCLUSIONS: A detailed picture of factors impacting insulin management during the transfer of care was developed. Incorporating the expertise of people who use insulin and removing barriers to insulin self management across the care pathway, ensuring staff have adequate knowledge, skills and confidence in the management of insulin and promoting proactive interventions to support safe outcomes represent key interventions to improve safety for people who use insulin.

Type: Article
Title: Exploring the complexity of safe insulin management during transfer of care using qualitative methods
Location: England
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1111/dme.70054
Publisher version: https://doi.org/10.1111/dme.70054
Language: English
Additional information: © 2025 The Author(s). Diabetic Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Diabetes UK. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Keywords: Complications, diabetes, drug safety, insulin
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Life Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Life Sciences > UCL School of Pharmacy
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Life Sciences > UCL School of Pharmacy > Practice and Policy
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10214622
Downloads since deposit
2Downloads
Download activity - last month
Download activity - last 12 months
Downloads by country - last 12 months

Archive Staff Only

View Item View Item