Elizabeth Bowen awarded funding to investigate rural impact on cystic fibrosis-related diabetes outcomes

Elizabeth Bowen, a clinical assistant professor at the University of Iowa, receives a three-year grant from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to explore how rural location influences care and outcomes for patients with cystic fibrosis-related diabetes, aiming to improve telemedicine and healthcare access.

Elizabeth Bowen, a clinical assistant professor in endocrinology and metabolism at the University of Iowa, has been awarded a three-year $193,060 career development and training grant from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for work on cystic fibrosis-related diabetes. The foundation says its EnVision Emerging Leaders in CF Endocrinology programme is designed to help build physician expertise in the endocrine complications of cystic fibrosis, including diabetes. The award also gives Bowen structured education and access to national mentors, alongside Iowa-based guidance from Katie Larson Ode and Doug Hornick.

Bowen’s project will look at whether rural location affects outcomes for people living with cystic fibrosis-related diabetes, using data from the cystic fibrosis patient registry to assess how distance from an accredited cystic fibrosis centre influences care. The foundation’s broader materials say CFRD is typically managed with insulin, blood sugar monitoring, diet and exercise, but requires specialist expertise because it sits at the intersection of diabetes and cystic fibrosis care.

Bowen said rurality has been studied in cystic fibrosis in Australia, but not in the United States and not specifically in cystic fibrosis-related diabetes. She added that distance from care is a constant issue when treating people in Iowa and said the findings could help improve diabetes technology use and telemedicine options for patients.

Ayotunde Dokun, the division director, described Bowen as “a rising leader in the field” and said her selection for the competitive programme reflected her commitment to patient care and academic work. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation says the EnVision model, launched in 2016, provides multi-year support, salary backing and mentorship to develop the next generation of specialists in cystic fibrosis endocrinology.