2851-LB: Impact of Weekly Basal Insulin on HCP Willingness to Initiate Insulin in People with Type 2 Diabetes and Psychological Insulin Resistance

Introduction and Objective: Psychological insulin resistance (PIR) represents a major barrier to timely basal insulin initiation in type 2 diabetes (T2D). This study examined U.S. healthcare providers' (HCPs) perspectives on weekly basal insulin as a potential solution to address PIR. Methods: A cross-sectional online 2026 survey enrolled 150 U.S. HCPs to assess barriers to insulin initiation, attitudes toward weekly insulin, and anticipated clinical impact. Eligible HCPs had ≥1 year experience treating people with T2D (PwT2D), managed ≥10 adult PwT2D per month in the past year, encouraged ≥ 10 PwT2D to initiate insulin in the past year, and reported ≥ 5% of their PwT2D initially resisted or declined therapy. Results: Most HCPs were aged 41-65 (51%), male (63%), and practiced family/internal medicine (41%) or endocrinology (39%). HCPs reported that, on average, 56% of PwT2D encouraged to initiate insulin exhibited PIR (33% initiated at a later visit; 23% declined). Injection burden was the leading HCP-perceived patient barrier (reported by 94% HCPs), while concerns about hypoglycemia (74%), patient ability to follow titration instructions (68%), and administrative burden (65%) were top HCP-level barriers to insulin initiation. Most HCPs (70%) anticipated weekly insulin reducing initiation reluctance in ≥50% of PwT2D, and 65% anticipated it would simplify dose titration. HCPs (89%) identified PwT2D with adherence difficulties as the most appropriate candidates for weekly insulin. Key drivers of HCP preference for and likelihood to prescribe weekly insulin included less frequent dosing (82% “somewhat/much more” likely for insulin-naïve; 87% for insulin-experienced), improved quality of life (83%; 87%), and easier acceptance of therapy (79% for insulin-naïve). Conclusion: HCPs perceive weekly basal insulin as a meaningful solution to address PIR in PwT2D, with potential benefits centered on reducing injection burden, simplifying diabetes management, and addressing adherence difficulties. Disclosure W. Polonsky: Consultant; Current; Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, Dexcom, Inc., Abbott Diabetes. Research Support; Current; Abbott Diabetes, Dexcom, Inc. Consultant; Current; Lilly Diabetes, MannKind Corporation. Research Support; Current; Lilly Diabetes. Consultant; Current; Sanofi, Insulet Corporation. U. Desai: Other - I am an employee of Analysis Group, Inc. a consulting firm that has received funding from multiple life sciences companies over the last 24 months to conduct research projects.; Current; N/A (see “Other” field). D. Schapiro: Employee; Current; Eli Lilly and Company. Stock/Shareholder; Current; Eli Lilly and Company. R. Ghanbariamin: Other - I am an employee of Analysis Group, Inc., a consulting firm that has received funding from multiple life sciences companies over the last 24 months to conduct research projects.; Current; N/A (see “Other” field). W. da Costa Jr: Other - I am an employee of Analysis Group, Inc., a consulting firm that has received funding from multiple life sciences companies over the last 24 months to conduct research projects.; Current; Not applicable (see “Other” field). J. Chen: Other - I am an employee of Analysis Group, Inc., a consulting firm that has received funding from multiple life sciences companies over the last 24 months to conduct research projects.; Current; N/A (see“Other” field). C. Pham: Other - I am an employee of Analysis Group, Inc., a consulting firm that has received funding from multiple life sciences companies over the last 24 months to conduct research projects.; Current; N/A (see “Other” field). M.B. Davidson: Employee; Current; Eli Lilly and Company. Stock/Shareholder; Current; Eli Lilly and Company. F. Gelsey: Employee; Current; Eli Lilly and Company. Stock/Shareholder; Current; Eli Lilly and Company. Funding Eli Lilly and Company (NA)