Diabetes Dialogue: Celebrating 25 Years of CGM, with Irl Hirsch, MD

Author(s):

Diana Isaacs, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP, BC-ADM, CDCES,Natalie Bellini, DNP, FNP-BC, BC-ADM, CDCE

Key Takeaways

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) has significantly transformed diabetes care since its introduction by MiniMed in 1999.
Key milestones, such as the JDRF CGM study and Medicare coverage, have enhanced CGM accessibility and integration into care standards.
Advances in CGM technology include factory calibration, non-invasive sensors, and over-the-counter options, despite challenges like device accuracy misconceptions.
CGM's potential extends beyond glucose monitoring, with future applications like ketone detection promising to revolutionize diabetes management and healthcare.

To celebrate surpassing 100 episodes, Diabetes Dialogue sits down with Irl Hirsch, MD, to discuss the 25-year anniversary of continuous glucose monitoring in 2024.

Welcome back to Diabetes Dialogue: Technology, Therapeutics, & Real-World Perspectives!

In celebration of the podcast surpassing 100 episodes, hosts Diana Isaacs, PharmD, an endocrine clinical pharmacist, director of Education and Training in Diabetes Technology, and codirector of Endocrine Disorders in Pregnancy at the Cleveland Clinic, and Natalie Bellini, DNP, program director of Diabetes Technology at University Hospitals Diabetes and Metabolic Care Center, sit down for a special edition episode with Irl Hirsch, MD, professor of medicine at the University of Washington.

Discussion within the episode reflects on continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and its revolutionary impact on diabetes care as well as its transformative history, beginning with its introduction by MiniMed in 1999.

Hirsch recounts his first CGM experience and how it fundamentally changed his approach to managing hypoglycemia and diabetes complications. The conversation transitions to pivotal milestones, such as the JDRF CGM study and the push for Medicare coverage, which advanced CGM accessibility and integrated it into diabetes care standards. Hirsch also highlights the evolution of CGM technology, including the adoption of factory calibration, non-invasive sensors, and over-the-counter options, while addressing challenges like patient misconceptions about device accuracy.

The trio also explore CGM’s potential beyond glucose monitoring, including ketone detection, that could revolutionize diabetes management and broader healthcare applications.