Feasibility of Spotlight Consultations Tool in Routine Care: Real-World Evidence.

BACKGROUND

Burnout in people with diabetes and healthcare professionals (HCPs) is at an all-time high. Spotlight AQ, a novel "smart" adaptive patient questionnaire, is designed to improve consultations by rapidly identifying patient priorities and presenting these in the context of best-practice care pathways to aid consultations. We aimed to determine Spotlight AQ's feasibility in routine care.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The Spotlight prototype tool was trialed at three centers: two UK primary care centers and one US specialist center (June-September 2020). Participants with type 1 (T1D) or type 2 diabetes (T2D) completed the questionnaire prior to their routine consultations. Results were immediately available and formed the basis of the clinical discussion and decision-making within the clinic visit.

RESULTS

A convenience sample of 49 adults took part, =31 T1D, (=18 female); and =18 T2D (=10 male, =4 female, =4 gender unreported). Each identified two priority concerns. "Psychological burden of diabetes" was the most common priority concern (T1D 27, 87.1%) followed by "gaining more skills about particular aspects of diabetes" (T1D =19, 61.3%), "improving support around me" (=8, 25.8%) and "diabetes-related treatment issues" (=8, 25.8%). Burden of diabetes was widespread as was lack of confidence around self-management. Similarly, psychological burden of diabetes was the primary concern for participants with T2D (=18,100%) followed by "gaining more skills about aspects of diabetes" (=7, 38.9%), "improving support around me" (=7, 38.9%) and "diabetes-related treatment issues" (=4; 22.2%).

CONCLUSIONS

Spotlight AQ is acceptable and feasible for use in routine care. Gaining more skills and addressing the psychological burden of diabetes are high-priority areas that must be addressed to reduce high levels of distress.