User Experiences With a Type 2 Diabetes Coaching App: Qualitative Study.
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Background
Diabetes self-management apps have the potential to improve self-management in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Although efficacy trials provide evidence of health benefits, premature disengagement from apps is common. Therefore, it is important to understand the factors that influence engagement in real-world settings.Objective
This study aims to explore users' real-world experiences with the My Diabetes Coach (MDC) self-management app.Methods
We conducted telephone-based interviews with participants who had accessed the MDC self-management app via their smartphone for up to 12 months. Interviews focused on user characteristics; the context within which the app was used; barriers and facilitators of app use; and the design, content, and delivery of support within the app.Results
A total of 19 adults with T2D (8/19, 42% women; mean age 60, SD 14 years) were interviewed. Of the 19 interviewees, 8 (42%) had T2D for <5 years, 42% (n=8) had T2D for 5-10 years, and 16% (n=3) had T2D for >10 years. In total, 2 themes were constructed from interview data: (1) the moderating effect of diabetes self-management styles on needs, preferences, and expectations and (2) factors influencing users' engagement with the app: one size does not fit all.Conclusions
User characteristics, the context of use, and features of the app interact and influence engagement. Promoting engagement is vital if diabetes self-management apps are to become a useful complement to clinical care in supporting optimal self-management.Trial registration
Australia New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry CTRN126140012296; URL https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=366925&isReview=true.
SUBMITTER: Baptista S
PROVIDER: S-EPMC7395244 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
User Experiences With a Type 2 Diabetes Coaching App: Qualitative Study.
Baptista Shaira S Wadley Greg G Bird Dominique D Oldenburg Brian B Speight Jane J
JMIR diabetes 20200717 3
<h4>Background</h4>Diabetes self-management apps have the potential to improve self-management in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Although efficacy trials provide evidence of health benefits, premature disengagement from apps is common. Therefore, it is important to understand the factors that influence engagement in real-world settings.<h4>Objective</h4>This study aims to explore users' real-world experiences with the My Diabetes Coach (MDC) self-management app.<h4>Methods</h4>We conducted t ...[more]
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