Denmark Study: Video Visits Work for Type 1 Diabetes Care

Danish Research Finds Video Appointments Are a Viable Option for Insulin Pump Users

A study from Denmark published in Diabetologia (2026) tested whether video consultations could replace traditional in-person clinic visits for adults with type 1 diabetes who use insulin pumps — and the results offer encouraging news for patients who struggle with clinic access.

What the Researchers Did

Scientists at the University Hospital of Southern Denmark in Aabenraa enrolled 76 adults with type 1 diabetes who had been using insulin pumps for at least six months. Participants were randomly assigned to either video consultations or standard in-person appointments over 52 weeks. All participants wore either a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) or a flash glucose monitor to track blood sugar around the clock.

This is noteworthy because Denmark's universal healthcare system and strong telehealth infrastructure make it an ideal testing ground for remote diabetes care — providing a real-world model that US health systems are still working to replicate.

Key Findings — In Plain English

• Time in Range (TIR): The main goal was to compare how much time each group spent with blood sugar in the healthy target range of 70–180 mg/dL (what the Danish researchers called 3.9–10.0 mmol/L, converted here to US units). At one year, the video group averaged 64.3% TIR versus 63.5% for the in-person group — a difference of less than 1 percentage point, which is clinically insignificant. In short: video care was just as effective at keeping blood sugar in range.
• A1C (Blood Sugar Average): The video group showed a modest but favorable reduction in A1C compared to the in-person group — a meaningful secondary finding.
• Treatment Satisfaction: Patients in the video group reported higher satisfaction with their care than those attending in-person appointments.
• Quality of Life: One cautionary note — the video group scored slightly lower on quality-of-life measures, suggesting that remote care may miss some of the personal connection or hands-on support that in-person visits provide.

How This Compares to US Guidelines

Current American Diabetes Association (ADA) guidelines support telehealth as an acceptable care delivery model, particularly for ongoing diabetes management. This Danish trial reinforces that position with randomized controlled trial evidence — the gold standard in research. The ADA's TIR target of at least 70% for most type 1 diabetes patients was not fully reached by either group, which is a realistic reflection of how challenging daily insulin pump management can be.

Why This Matters for US Patients

Millions of Americans with type 1 diabetes face long drives to endocrinology clinics, limited specialist availability, or scheduling barriers. This Danish study provides solid evidence that video appointments are not a second-class option — they can deliver comparable blood sugar outcomes with even better patient satisfaction. If your care team offers telehealth visits, this research supports embracing them confidently.

For insulin pump users monitoring daily glucose trends, having the right tools between appointments matters just as much as the appointments themselves. At mdsdiabetes.com, MDS Diabetes offers resources and supplies to help you stay on top of your diabetes management whether your next visit is in-person or on a screen.

Citation

Schultz, Christensen, Bollig (2026). Effectiveness of video consultations in type 1 diabetes patients treated with insulin pumps in the outpatient clinic: a randomised controlled trial. Diabetologia. PMID: 41198916. DOI: 10.1007/s00125-025-06585-2. [Country of Origin: Denmark]