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Primary care practices used varied strategies to adopt CGM, with diabetes care specialists playing a key role in shaping implementation choices.  

According to a study published in the June 2025 issue of BMC Primary Care, most diabetes management takes place in primary care, highlighting the growing use and benefits of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and the need to explore support models for its implementation.  

Researchers conducted a retrospective study to compare characteristics of primary care practices that selected either a practice-led, self-paced CGM implementation or referral to a virtual CGM support service.  

They enrolled Colorado primary care practices interested in CGM and allowed them to either adopt the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) Transformation in Practice Series (TIPS): CGM implementation modules or refer individuals to a virtual CGM initiation and education service led by a primary care multidisciplinary team. This mixed-methods study compared baseline characteristics between study arms using chi-square tests and t-tests. Semi-structured interviews with practice staff were conducted to explore reasons for selecting a specific study arm.  

The results showed that out of 76 enrolled practices, 46 selected the self-paced approach using the TIPS modules, and 16 of these (35%) included a Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (DCES). In contrast, 30 practices opted for the virtual CGM initiation service, and none (0%) had a DCES. A significant association was observed between DCES presence and implementation choice [X² (1, N = 62) = 11.046, P< .001]. No significant differences were noted across 37 other baseline practice characteristics.  

Investigators concluded that multiple models supported CGM implementation in primary care, depending on the presence of DCES. 

Source: bmcprimcare.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12875-025-02903-0