Usability and preference evaluation of a prefilled insulin pen with a novel injection mechanism by people with diabetes and healthcare professionals

Abstract

Objective: This cross-over usability study assessed the perceptions of, and preference for, FT (FlexTouch*), a new prefilled insulin pen, compared with KP (KwikPen†) another widely available prefilled insulin pen, among people with diabetes and healthcare professionals (physicians and nurses).

Research design and methods: Participants were randomly assigned to start with either FT or KP. Following instruction on how to operate the pen, the participant performed several injections at different doses into a foam cushion and then answered written questions on ease of use, confidence and preference.

Results: Seventy-nine people with diabetes and 81 healthcare professionals (40 physicians and 41 nurses) took part. Overall, most respondents preferred using FT (86%) to KP (7%; p < 0.001), found FT (85%) the easier pen to use versus KP (4%; p < 0.001), and would recommend FT (88%) rather than KP (6%; p < 0.001). Ratings for FT were also significantly higher than for KP on questions relating to the injection process, including ease of depressing the push-button and ease of injecting at three dose levels (20 International Units [IU], 40 IU and 60 IU [p < 0.001 for all]). Significantly more respondents chose FT as the pen that gave them most confidence in correct and complete insulin delivery (73% vs. 6% for KP; p < 0.001).

Conclusions: FT was rated significantly higher (all p < 0.001) for ease of use and confidence, and was preferred over KP by people with diabetes, physicians and nurses. The features of FT may improve the insulin injection experience for a wide range of users. A limitation of the usability questionnaire employed in this study is that it did not assess the factors that influence preference. Additional analyses could be conducted using multivariate regression to help elucidate the features of FT that appeal to different users.