Type 1 Diabetes Patients Are Demanding Better Technology—Here's What They Actually Want

Type 1 diabetes patients aren't asking for incremental improvements anymore—they're demanding transformative solutions. From more reliable continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) to automatic device replacements and even a functional cure, the diabetes community is speaking up about what would genuinely improve their daily lives. Their feedback reveals a gap between what current technology offers and what patients actually need to manage this lifelong condition effectively.

What's Broken With Today's Diabetes Technology?

When people with type 1 diabetes talk about their devices, frustration comes through clearly. The most common complaint isn't about the core function of pumps or sensors—it's about reliability and the burden of managing failures. Patients report dealing with failing sensors, clogging insulin pods, and connection issues between their continuous glucose monitor and insulin pump that interrupt their sleep and daily routines.

But the real pain point goes deeper than device malfunctions. Many patients describe the anxiety that comes with equipment failure, knowing they'll face a 30-minute phone call with their insurance company where they might be denied a replacement. "Automatic coverage, no questions asked for replacements," one patient explained, "I'll deal with the failing sensors and clogging pods if I know I can just reorder and get them in a timely manner—avoiding that panic attack that happens every time something fails on me".

The Top Improvements Patients Are Requesting

When asked what single change would most improve their diabetes management, type 1 patients consistently prioritize specific, practical upgrades:

• More Reliable CGMs: Multiple patients mentioned wanting better and more dependable continuous glucose monitors. Some noted they stick with older Dexcom G6 models because newer versions didn't work well for them, and they're hopeful that extended 15-day sensors will prove more reliable than current options.
• Better Device Connectivity: Patients want their CGM to maintain connection to their insulin pump regardless of how the pump is positioned. One user described the frustration of losing connection when the pump faces inward, especially during sleep.
• Improved Physical Design: Small but meaningful changes matter—patients want textured cases on pods to prevent slipping during application, larger numbers on pump displays (especially for those with vision challenges), and overpatches that don't wrinkle or stick to hands.
• User Control Features: Adults want the ability to silence their pumps when desired, a feature that seems simple but would reduce the social burden of audible alarms in public settings.

The Bigger Picture: Patients Want a Real Cure, Not Just Better Band-Aids

Beyond device improvements, many type 1 diabetes patients express frustration with the fundamental approach to their condition. They view current technology—pumps, sensors, and insulin—as symptom management rather than solutions. "These paste on solutions that just cover the symptoms of T1D are annoying, troublesome, and definitely not a cure," one patient stated.

The most ambitious requests focus on biological solutions. Some patients envision implanted artificial pancreases that would eliminate the need for daily management. Others hope for stem cell therapies that could restore beta cell function—the insulin-producing cells that stop working in type 1 diabetes. One patient described their ideal advancement as "rewiring of the primary enzymes of the pancreas, particularly the beta cells, using plenipotentiary stem cells that can crank up the enervated beta cells".

How to Advocate for Better Diabetes Technology

• Document Your Device Issues: Keep detailed records of when devices fail, how they fail, and the impact on your daily life. This data helps manufacturers and healthcare providers understand real-world problems that don't show up in clinical trials.
• Participate in Community Feedback: Join diabetes communities and forums where patient experiences are shared and aggregated. Manufacturers and researchers increasingly monitor these spaces to identify patterns in patient needs.
• Engage With Your Healthcare Team: Tell your doctor and diabetes educator specifically what's not working. Their feedback to device manufacturers carries weight and helps prioritize improvements.
• Support Research Into Cure-Focused Solutions: Organizations funding stem cell research, immunotherapy, and artificial pancreas development rely on patient advocacy to secure resources and maintain momentum.

Why Patient Input Matters Now More Than Ever

The diabetes technology landscape is evolving rapidly, with multiple companies developing next-generation devices and new treatment approaches. But without clear feedback from the people actually using these tools every day, innovation can miss the mark. Patients living with type 1 diabetes understand the real-world challenges that researchers and engineers sometimes overlook—the social anxiety of audible pump alarms, the frustration of losing sensor connection at night, the financial stress of denied insurance claims for failed devices.

The conversation happening in diabetes communities right now is important because it's shifting expectations. Patients are no longer asking for incremental tweaks to existing technology. They're demanding solutions that address both the practical burden of daily management and the deeper goal of actually curing the disease. Whether manufacturers and researchers can meet these expectations will determine whether the next generation of diabetes technology truly improves lives or simply maintains the status quo.