The CGM Era: A New Approach to Diabetes Care
Measuring A1C transformed diabetes care by proving glucose control matters.
But measuring A1C it doesn’t help manage daily fluctuations in blood sugar.
Now, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is taking over as the new standard for real-time, personalized diabetes care.
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About The Guest
Richard M. Bergenstal, MD, is an endocrinologist and Executive Director of the International Diabetes Center. He is Clinical Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Minnesota and served as President, Science & Medicine of the American Diabetes Association in 2010. In 2007, Dr. Bergenstal was named the ADA’s Outstanding Physician Clinician of the Year and in 2010 he was awarded the Banting Medal for Service for outstanding leadership and service to the American Diabetes Association. Dr. Bergenstal received his MD and endocrine training from the University of Chicago where he was an Assistant Professor of Medicine before joining the International Diabetes Center in 1983.
His clinical research has focused on glucose control and diabetes complications and advanced technology including CGM and automated insulin delivery systems. He has served as a Principal Investigator of five NIH trials: DCCT, ACCORD, GRADE and two technology focused NIH grants, an insulin dose advisor system and a study of next generation automated insulin delivery systems.
Dr. Bergenstal’ s clinical efforts have been directed toward improving systems of care for patients with diabetes by translating new research findings into practice. He studies the effective utilization of insulin therapy and the use of the ambulatory glucose profile (AGP) to standardize glucose monitoring metrics and reporting to improve glucose control and clinical outcomes. He teaches nationally and internationally on the importance of patient‐centered team care, has been listed in Best Doctors in America since it began in 1992, and has published over 300 peer reviewed scientific articles.
Episode Description
In this episode of Quality Matters, Dr. Richard Bergenstal, Executive Director of the International Diabetes Center, joins host Andy Reynolds to explore the evolving landscape of diabetes care—from the legacy of A1C to the promise of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM).
Rich shares lessons from decades of clinical leadership, research and quality improvement, including his advisory role in NCQA’s updated Diabetes Recognition Program. He explains how CGM, new metrics like the Glucose Management Indicator and a focus on patient experience are reshaping how we define and deliver high-quality diabetes care.
Listen to this episode to discover:
- Why the A1C Era Was Just the Beginning. Learn how A1C transformed diabetes care—and why it’s no longer enough. Rich explains why A1C is a measurement tool, not a management tool, and how CGM fills that gap.
- The Rise of CGM and What It Means for Quality. Understand why CGM use has surged sixfold in two years, and how it empowers patients with real-time data, alerts and confidence. Discover how CGM metrics like Time in Range and GMI are becoming the new standard.
- The Power of Visualizing Glucose Data. Explore how tools like the Ambulatory Glucose Profile (AGP) help clinicians and patients detect patterns, personalize care and move from data to action.
- Why Quality Measures Must Evolve. Learn how NCQA’s updated Diabetes Recognition Program adds HEDIS measures to reflect contemporary care standards and whole-person health.
- What’s Next in Diabetes Care. Hear Dr. Rich’s optimistic, collaborative vision for the next decade of helping people who have diabetes live better lives.
This conversation is essential for quality leaders, clinicians and health plan professionals who want to stay ahead of the curve in diabetes care, digital health and patient-centered quality improvement.
But nobody wants to poke their finger multiple times a day. So A1C led to finger sticks. Finger sticks led to CGM and now CGM has changed the dialogue.
The A1C era had its role, but you look for the next thing to get to the next level. That’s what I see CGM as.
Timestamps
(02:14) The Era of A1C
(04:22) What is Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM)
(06:43) Bridging the A1C and CGM Eras
(10:45) Addressing Skepticism and Myths about CGM
(18:37) The Future of Diabetes Care