Our recent Facebook Live event focused on using connected care to manage type 1 diabetes (T1D), including smart insulin pens and pen caps. Grace Bennett, Breakthrough T1D social media manager, and Brian Herrick, Breakthrough T1D senior director, marketing strategy, have lived with T1D for a combined 50+ years and discussed their experiences with T1D management options.
What is connected care?
Connected care is the use of technologies and communication tools to improve T1D management. It combines around-the-clock monitoring with prompt interventions and enhanced communication between the patient and the healthcare provider for better health outcomes. T1D connected care tools include continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), automated insulin delivery systems (also known as artificial pancreas systems), smart insulin pens and pen caps, and mobile apps.
Why are T1D management options important?
T1D is not a one-size-fits-all condition. People living with T1D make over 180 decisions each day to manage it, and many of those decisions are informed by lifestyle. T1D management is all a matter of what works for the individual.
Today, T1D technology is evolving to meet the needs of the patient, making the condition easier to manage with more options. Breakthrough T1D works tirelessly to ensure everyone living with T1D has the freedom to choose the T1D management options that are best for them. Learn more about our advocacy work in this area.
What are smart insulin pens and pen caps?
Smart insulin pens and pen caps are options for connected care with many features to make managing T1D easier, including:
- Calculating insulin dosage based on current blood glucose level, how much insulin is on board (IOB), carbohydrate count, and more (similar to how an insulin pump calculates dosage).
- Sending alerts for missed insulin doses.
- Tracking the time and amount of every dose and issuing reminders for the next dose.
- Indicating whether insulin has expired or has been exposed to temperature extremes.
- Providing data to your healthcare team at any time.
- Syncing to smartphones and watches, as well as popular diabetes tracking platforms.
Learn more about smart insulin pens and pen caps.
Learn more about other connected care options:
Editor’s note: How you manage your type 1 diabetes is a personal decision between you and your healthcare team. Breakthrough T1D content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact your doctor or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding type 1 diabetes or any medical condition.
Connected care resources are made possible in part through the support of 
