mHealth applications for diabetes: user preference and implications for app development

TY - JOUR

T1 - mHealth applications for diabetes

T2 - user preference and implications for app development

AU - Conway, Nicholas

AU - Campbell, Iona

AU - Forbes, Paula

AU - Cunningham, Scott

AU - Wake, Deborah

N1 - Funding: Dundee Clinical Academic Track scholarship awarded by the University of Dundee.

PY - 2015/12

Y1 - 2015/12

N2 - Increasing diabetes prevalence has led to the need for more sustainable and person-centred services. The diabetes self-care mHealth marketplace is growing, but most effective/valued features are unknown. This study gauges diabetes app user opinion to inform development work. An analysis of diabetes mHealth apps informed design of a questionnaire sent to a random sample of 400 patients stratified by diabetes type and age. Responses were analysed by sub-group, and preferences were compared with current diabetes apps. App features included data storage/graphics, exercise tracking, health/diet, reminders/alarms, education. Questionnaire response rate was 59 per cent (234/400); 144/233 (62%) owned smartphones. Smartphone users expressed preference towards mHealth (101/142 (71%)), although diabetes use was low (12/163 (7%)). Respondents favoured many potential features, with similar preferences between diabetes types. This study demonstrates that while mHealth acceptance is high, current engagement is low. Engagement and functionality could be improved by including stakeholders in future development, driven by clinical/user need.

AB - Increasing diabetes prevalence has led to the need for more sustainable and person-centred services. The diabetes self-care mHealth marketplace is growing, but most effective/valued features are unknown. This study gauges diabetes app user opinion to inform development work. An analysis of diabetes mHealth apps informed design of a questionnaire sent to a random sample of 400 patients stratified by diabetes type and age. Responses were analysed by sub-group, and preferences were compared with current diabetes apps. App features included data storage/graphics, exercise tracking, health/diet, reminders/alarms, education. Questionnaire response rate was 59 per cent (234/400); 144/233 (62%) owned smartphones. Smartphone users expressed preference towards mHealth (101/142 (71%)), although diabetes use was low (12/163 (7%)). Respondents favoured many potential features, with similar preferences between diabetes types. This study demonstrates that while mHealth acceptance is high, current engagement is low. Engagement and functionality could be improved by including stakeholders in future development, driven by clinical/user need.

KW - diabetes mellitus

KW - mHealth

KW - mobile applications

KW - patient engagement

KW - self-care

U2 - 10.1177/1460458215616265

DO - 10.1177/1460458215616265

M3 - Article

C2 - 26635324

SN - 1460-4582

VL - 22

SP - 1111

EP - 1120

JO - Health Informatics Journal

JF - Health Informatics Journal

IS - 4

ER -