#Diabetes pilot for android trial#

Several apps have usability issues, and app functions focus narrowly on insulin dosage suggestions, recording medications, and diet and weight management. Some ‘diabetes management’ apps do not follow medical guidelines or incorporate clinical best practices established by diabetes professionals. The general findings show that the majority of the apps studied lacked a theoretical foundation and did not involve the needs and preferences of the target group in the development process. Īlthough the field of mHealth is still in its infancy, some studies have explored mobile apps in relation to diabetes self-management. As shown by Vitger et al., the number of diabetes apps available through Apple’s App Store has increased steadily from approximately 600 in 2003 to more than 1000 by 2015. A multitude of diabetes apps are already available. The rising numbers emphasize the potential for developing mobile applications (apps) as support tools for diabetes self-management. In Denmark, 77% of all families own at least one smartphone and 50% own a tablet. The adoption of smartphones by the general public has increased dramatically. Benefits related to diabetes care may include improved health behavior and clinical outcomes, an easier transition to life with diabetes, and increased access to the healthcare system brand. MHealth is defined as “medical and public health practices supported by mobile devices, such as mobile phones, patient monitoring devices, personal digital assistants and other wireless devices. A promising approach is Mobile Health (mHealth). However, advances in smartphone technology have led to new opportunities for supporting diabetes self-management and delivering diabetes education. People with type 2 diabetes provide the majority of their own care between clinic visits that total less than two hours of formal diabetes care per year. Ĭonsequently, in diabetes care, self-management and education are considered core elements of reducing risk factors and long-term disability and preventing diabetes-related complications. As a consequence, diabetes has a significant economic impact on nations and national health systems because of increased use of health services, lower productivity, and the need for long-term support to reduce diabetes-related complications. The increase is related to aging populations, economic development, a less healthy diet, increasing urbanization, and reduced physical activity. In Denmark and internationally, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes is growing rapidly, especially in high-income countries.

#Diabetes pilot for android trial#

Trial registration: Danish Data Protection Agency: 04. More attention should be paid to the training of professionals who introduce health apps. The design thinking processes used in the development and implementation of the mobile health app were crucial to creating value for users. Users found the app to be a valuable tool for support, particularly for raising their awareness about their psychological health and for informing and guiding them through the healthcare system after diagnosis. The final app comprised five major functions: overview of diabetes activities after diagnosis, recording of health data, reflection games and goal setting, knowledge games and recording of psychological data such as sleep, fatigue, and well-being. ResultsĪ multifunctional app was useful for people with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes. Finally, 14 users tested the app over 4 weeks they were interviewed about usability and perceptions about the app as a support tool. The ideation phrase consisted of four interactive workshops with users focusing on app needs, in which ideas were developed and prioritized. The first phase included observations of diabetes education and 12 in-depth interviews with users regarding challenges and needs related to living with diabetes. The research approach comprised three major phases: inspiration, ideation, and implementation. The app was developed and tested in 2015 using a design-based research approach involving target users (individuals newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes), research scientists, healthcare professionals, designers, and app developers. The aim of this study was to develop and test a mobile application (app) supporting diabetes self-management among people with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes using design thinking. However, the majority of these applications lack a theoretical foundation and the involvement of people with diabetes during development. Numerous mobile applications have been developed to support diabetes-self-management.