scholarly journals User Retention and Engagement With a Mobile App Intervention to Support Self-Management in Australians With Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes (My Care Hub): Mixed Methods Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary D Adu ◽  
Usman H Malabu ◽  
Aduli EO Malau-Aduli ◽  
Aaron Drovandi ◽  
Bunmi S Malau-Aduli

BACKGROUND Mobile health apps are commonly used to support diabetes self-management (DSM). However, there is limited research assessing whether such apps are able to meet the basic requirements of retaining and engaging users. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate participants’ retention and engagement with My Care Hub, a mobile app for DSM. METHODS The study employed an explanatory mixed methods design. Participants were people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who used the health app intervention for 3 weeks. Retention was measured by completion of the postintervention survey. Engagement was measured using system log indices and interviews. Retention and system log indices were presented using descriptive statistics. Transcripts were analyzed using content analysis to develop themes interpreted according to the behavioral intervention technology theory. RESULTS Of the 50 individuals enrolled, 42 (84%) adhered to the study protocol. System usage data showed multiple and frequent interactions with the app by most of the enrolled participants (42/50, 84%). Two-thirds of participants who inputted data during the first week returned to use the app after week 1 (36/42, 85%) and week 2 (30/42, 71%) of installation. Most daily used features were tracking of blood glucose (BG; 28/42, 68%) and accessing educational information (6/42, 13%). The interview results revealed the app’s potential as a behavior change intervention tool, particularly because it eased participants’ self-care efforts and improved their engagement with DSM activities such as BG monitoring, physical exercise, and healthy eating. Participants suggested additional functionalities such as extended access to historical analytic data, automated data transmission from the BG meter, and periodic update of meals and corresponding nutrients to further enhance engagement with the app. CONCLUSIONS The findings of this short-term intervention study suggested acceptable levels of participant retention and engagement with My Care Hub, indicating that it may be a promising tool for extending DSM support and education beyond the confines of a physical clinic.

10.2196/17802 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. e17802 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary D Adu ◽  
Usman H Malabu ◽  
Aduli EO Malau-Aduli ◽  
Aaron Drovandi ◽  
Bunmi S Malau-Aduli

Background Mobile health apps are commonly used to support diabetes self-management (DSM). However, there is limited research assessing whether such apps are able to meet the basic requirements of retaining and engaging users. Objective This study aimed to evaluate participants’ retention and engagement with My Care Hub, a mobile app for DSM. Methods The study employed an explanatory mixed methods design. Participants were people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who used the health app intervention for 3 weeks. Retention was measured by completion of the postintervention survey. Engagement was measured using system log indices and interviews. Retention and system log indices were presented using descriptive statistics. Transcripts were analyzed using content analysis to develop themes interpreted according to the behavioral intervention technology theory. Results Of the 50 individuals enrolled, 42 (84%) adhered to the study protocol. System usage data showed multiple and frequent interactions with the app by most of the enrolled participants (42/50, 84%). Two-thirds of participants who inputted data during the first week returned to use the app after week 1 (36/42, 85%) and week 2 (30/42, 71%) of installation. Most daily used features were tracking of blood glucose (BG; 28/42, 68%) and accessing educational information (6/42, 13%). The interview results revealed the app’s potential as a behavior change intervention tool, particularly because it eased participants’ self-care efforts and improved their engagement with DSM activities such as BG monitoring, physical exercise, and healthy eating. Participants suggested additional functionalities such as extended access to historical analytic data, automated data transmission from the BG meter, and periodic update of meals and corresponding nutrients to further enhance engagement with the app. Conclusions The findings of this short-term intervention study suggested acceptable levels of participant retention and engagement with My Care Hub, indicating that it may be a promising tool for extending DSM support and education beyond the confines of a physical clinic.


Author(s):  
Mary D. Adu ◽  
Usman H. Malabu ◽  
Aduli E. O. Malau-Aduli ◽  
Aaron Drovandi ◽  
Bunmi S. Malau-Aduli

The aim of this study was to evaluate the preliminary efficacy and user acceptance of My Care Hub (MCH) mobile app—developed to provide evidenced-based support and education on diabetes self-management (DSM). Using a mixed-methods design, the efficacy and acceptability of MCH were measured among people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes after three weeks of intervention. The primary outcome measure was level of involvement with DSM, while the mediating factors were skills and self-efficacy for DSM. Telephone interviews were conducted to elucidate information on perceptions of the app’s impact on participants’ DSM and interest in future use. Statistically significant improvements were observed between pre- and post-intervention measures: DSM activities (4.55 ± 1.14 vs. 5.35 ± 0.84; p = 0.001); skills (7.10 ± 1.99 vs. 7.90 ± 1.67; p = 0.04); and self-efficacy (7.33 ±1.83 vs. 8.07 ± 1.54; p = 0.03). Multivariate analysis showed that self-efficacy had the strongest, though not significant influence on DSM. Interview findings revealed that the app reinforced knowledge and provided motivation to participate in DSM activities. The study suggested a positive impact of MCH on DSM and acceptability by patients. To confirm these promising results, further large scale and long-term studies are required.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stijn Crutzen ◽  
Tessa van den Born-Bondt ◽  
Petra Denig ◽  
Katja Taxis

Abstract Background Hypoglycaemia is a common and potentially avoidable adverse event in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D). It can reduce quality of life, increase healthcare costs, and reduce treatment success. We investigated self-management issues associated with hypoglycaemia and self-identified causes of hypoglycaemia in these patients. Methods In this mixed methods study qualitative semi-structured interviews were performed, which informed a subsequent quantitative survey in T2D patients. All interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and coded independently by two coders using directed content analysis, guided by the Theoretical Domains Framework. Descriptive statistics were used to quantify the self-management issues and causes of hypoglycaemia collected in the survey for the respondents that had experienced at least one hypoglycaemic event in the past. Results Sixteen participants were interviewed, aged 59–84 years. Participants perceived difficulties in managing deviations from routine, and they sometimes lacked procedural knowledge to adjust medication, nutrition or physical activity to manage their glucose levels. Grief and loss of support due to the loss of a partner interfered with self-management and lead to hypoglycaemic events. Work ethic lead some participant to overexerting themselves, which in turn lead to hypoglycaemic events. The participants had difficulties preventing hypoglycaemic events, because they did not know the cause, suffered from impaired hypoglycaemia awareness and/or did not want to regularly measure their blood glucose. When they did recognise a cause, they identified issues with nutrition, physical activity, stress or medication. In total, 40% of respondents reported regular stress as an issue, 24% reported that they regularly overestimated their physical abilities, and 22% indicated they did not always know how to adjust their medication. Around 16% of patients could not always remember whether they took their medication, and 42% always took their medication at regular times. Among the 83 respondents with at least one hypoglycaemic event, common causes for hypoglycaemia mentioned were related to physical activity (67%), low food intake (52%), deviations from routine (35%) and emotional burden (28%). Accidental overuse of medication was reported by 10%. Conclusion People with T2D experience various issues with self-managing their glucose levels. This study underlines the importance of daily routine and being able to adjust medication in relation to more physical activity or less food intake as well as the ability to reduce and manage stress to prevent hypoglycaemic events.


Vestnik ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 187-193
Author(s):  
З.К. Манатбекова ◽  
А. Озат ◽  
А.Е. Бектур ◽  
А.Р. Шаймерден ◽  
Д.А. Ахат ◽  
...  

Качественная амбулаторная помощь при диабете требует как стандартов оказания амбулаторной помощи, часто обеспечиваемой структурированными наборами заказов, так и стандартов обеспечения качества для улучшения процессов. Протоколы, обзоры и руководства «передовой практики» непоследовательно применяются в больницах. Чтобы исправить это, в больницах установлены протоколы для структурированного ухода за пациентами и структурированные наборы заказов, которые включают компьютеризированный ввод заказов врача (CPOE). В первоначальных заказах должен быть указан тип диабета (например, диабет 1 или 2 типа) или отсутствие диабета в анамнезе. Поскольку стационарное использование инсулина и приказы о выписке могут быть более эффективными, если основаны на уровне A1C при поступлении, выполните тест A1C у всех пациентов с диабетом или гипергликемией, госпитализированных в больницу, если тест не был проведен. выполнено за предыдущие 3 месяца. Целью данной работы является рассмотрение стандартов амбулаторного лечения пациентов с диабетом 2 типа, составление рекомендации по поведению и формировании навыков в отношении самоконтроля при диабете. Quality ambulatory diabetes care requires both outpatient care standards, often provided by structured ordering, and quality assurance standards to improve processes. “Best practice” protocols, reviews and guidelines are inconsistently applied in hospitals. To remedy this, hospitals have established protocols for structured patient care and structured order sets that include computerized entry of physician orders (CPOE). Initial orders must indicate the type of diabetes (such as type 1 or 2 diabetes) or no history of diabetes. Because inpatient insulin use and discharge orders may be more effective if based on admission A1C levels, perform an A1C test on all diabetic or hyperglycemic patients admitted to the hospital if the test has not been performed. completed in the previous 3 months. The aim of this work is to review the standards of outpatient treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes, to draw up recommendations on behavior and skills formation in relation to self-management in diabetes.


Author(s):  
Katherine A. S. Gallagher ◽  
Marisa E. Hilliard

Diabetes is a chronic medical condition that affects many children in the United States. The chapter provides an overview of type 1 and type 2 diabetes and focuses on the roles of school-based providers in helping students with diabetes, in collaboration with families and medical providers. Specific strategies, such as educating school personnel and peers about the conditions and treatments and recognizing and responding to symptoms of the conditions, are discussed. Providing assistance with, and supervision of, self-management tasks, monitoring symptoms, and identifying and implementing appropriate school-based accommodations are some key activities school-based professionals adopt to support students with diabetes. Additionally, addressing any learning or psychological concerns and assessing for possible diabetes-related contributors are critical. Included in the chapter are handouts with helpful resources for professionals, lists of measures for assessing concerns common to children with diabetes, and a tool to support student engagement in self-management activities related to diabetes care.


2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa J. Scarton ◽  
Mary de Groot

American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) bear a disproportionate burden of diabetes and associated long-term complications. Behavioral interventions play a vital role in promoting diabetes medical and psychological outcomes, yet the development of interventions for AI/AN communities has been limited. A systematic review was conducted of studies focused on the psychosocial and behavioral aspects of diagnosed diabetes among AI/ANs. Ovid and PubMed databases and published reference lists were searched for articles published between 1987 and 2014 that related to the psychosocial and behavioral aspects of type 1 or type 2 diabetes in the AI/AN population. Twenty studies were identified that met the inclusion criteria. Nineteen studies were observational and one study was intervention based. Two of the studies used community-based participatory research methodology. Of the 20 studies, 2 discussed cultural influences associated with diabetes self-management and 10 identified the specific tribes that participated in the study. Tribal affiliations among the studies were broad with the number of AI/AN participants in each study ranging from 30 to 23,529 participants. Emotional and behavioral topics found in the literature were adherence ( n = 2), depression ( n = 9), physical activity ( n = 3), psychosocial barriers ( n = 1), social support ( n = 3), and stress ( n = 2). Relatively few studies were identified using AI/AN populations over a 27-year period. This is in stark contrast to what is known about the prevalence and burden that type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus place on AI/AN communities. Future research should promote community engagement through the use of community-based participatory research methodologies, seek to further understand and describe the emotional and behavioral context for diabetes self-management in this population, and develop and test innovative interventions to promote the best possible diabetes outcomes.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 121-126
Author(s):  
Noelia Herrero ◽  
Frederic Guerrero-Solé ◽  
Lluís Mas-Manchón

Background: Support groups play an important role in diabetes understanding and education. This study aims to find connections between participating in diabetes-related online communities (groups and forums) and the self-reported degree of self-care management and health problems associated with type 1 and 2 diabetes. Methods: A cross-sectional study using an online survey was conducted and 307 participants were recruited. Participants were asked about diabetes self-care management (glucose management, healthcare, dietary restrictions, and physical activity) and complications related to the disease, as well as their participation in online social groups and forums (duration, time, and intensity). Results: Belonging to diabetes-related online support groups (OSGs) was associated with lower scores in healthcare and self-management of diabetes ( M = 2.98, SD = 1.07, n = 207, for belonging to OSGs; and M = 4.22, SD = 0.59, n = 97, for not belonging to OSGs). These differences were not statistically significant for type 1 diabetes individuals ( M = 4.33, SD = 0.47, n = 28, for belonging to OSGs, and M = 4.29, SD = 0.48, n = 52, for not belonging to OSGs), but were highly significant for type 2 diabetes (T2D) individuals ( M = 2.41, SD = 0.68, n = 144, for belonging to OSGs; and M = 4.14, SD = 0.64, n = 61, for not belonging to OSGs). People with both type 1 and 2 diabetes reported to have suffered more complications derived from diabetes when they belonged to an OSG, but greater statistically significant differences were found in type 2 individuals. Conclusion: Patients with T2D who participate in OSGs show a higher correlation with having lower levels of diabetes self-care management as well as health complications related to the disease.


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