The Cribsiders S7 Ep165: Pump it Up! Technology in Type 1 Diabetes Management
Jan 21, 2026
Dr. Rebecca Vitale, a med‑peds endocrinologist and behavioral diabetes researcher living with type 1 diabetes, guides a lively tour of CGMs, insulin pumps, and automated insulin delivery. She compares major devices, explains how algorithms adjust insulin, covers phone reliance and backups, and discusses access, age approvals, and real‑life tips for sports, troubleshooting, and mental load.
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Pump Algorithms Offer A Spectrum
- Newer pump algorithms vary from fully manual to nearly hands-off, giving a spectrum of user involvement.
- That diversity allows matching device complexity to patient preferences and abilities.
Offer Pumps To Everyone With Type 1 Diabetes
- Offer insulin pumps to all people with type 1 diabetes per ADA guidance and avoid excluding patients by assumptions.
- Consider access, supports, and teaching rather than preemptive disqualification.
Start CGM Early But Teach Backups
- Start CGMs soon after diagnosis, often within a week, and consider hospital initiation for training.
- Teach fingerstick and injection skills too, since technology can fail and backups are essential.