Background Diabetes is a major global epidemic and serious public health problem. Diabetes self-management is a 24/7 challenge for people with type 1 diabetes that influences their quality of life (QoL). Certain apps can support the self-management of people with diabetes; however, current apps do not meet the needs of people with diabetes appropriately, and their safety is not ensured. Moreover, there are a multitude of hardware and software problems associated with diabetes apps and regulations. Clear guidelines are required to regulate medical care via apps. In Germany, apps must undergo 2 examination processes to be listed in the Digitale Gesundheitsanwendungen directory. However, neither examination process considers whether the medical use of the apps is sufficient for users’ self-management. Objective This study aims to contribute to the technology development process of diabetes apps by exploring individual perspectives on desired features and content of diabetes apps among people with diabetes. The vision assessment conducted is a first step toward creating a shared vision among all relevant stakeholders. To ensure adequate research and development processes for diabetes apps in the future, guiding visions from all relevant stakeholders are required. Methods In a qualitative study, 24 semistructured interviews with patients with type 1 diabetes were conducted, among whom 10 (42%) were currently using an app. To clarify the perceptions of people with diabetes regarding the functions and content of diabetes apps, a vision assessment was conducted. Results People with diabetes have concrete ideas of features and content in apps to improve their QoL and allow them to live as comfortably as possible, such as informative predictions through artificial intelligence, improvements in signal loss and value delay through smartwatches, improved communication and information-sharing capabilities, reliable information sources, and user-friendly and discreet messaging options through smartwatches. In addition, according to people with diabetes, future apps should show improved sensors and app connectivity to avoid incorrect values being displayed. They also wish for an explicit indication that displayed values are delayed. In addition, personalized information was found to be lacking in apps. Conclusions People with type 1 diabetes want future apps to improve their self-management and QoL and reduce stigma. Desired key features include personalized artificial intelligence predictions of blood glucose levels, improved communication and information sharing through chat and forum options, comprehensive information resources, and smartwatch alerts. A vision assessment is the first step in creating a shared vision among stakeholders to responsibly guide the development of diabetes apps. Relevant stakeholders include patient organizations, health care professionals, insurers, policy makers, device manufacturers, app developers, researchers, medical ethicists, and data security experts. After the research and development process, new apps must be launched while considering regulations regarding data security, liability, and reimbursement.
Technology, especially cognitive agents and robots, has significant potential to improve the healthcare system and patient care. However, innovation within academia seldomly finds its way into practice. At least in Germany, there is still a digitalization gap between academia and healthcare practice and little understanding of how healthcare facilities can successfully purchase, implement, and adopt new knowledge and technology. Therefore, the aim of this study is to develop a successful academic knowledge transfer strategy for healthcare technology. We conducted a qualitative study with academic staff working in higher education in Germany and professionals in their practice partner organizations. In 15 semi-structured interviews, we aimed to assess interviewees experiences with knowledge transfer, to identify perceived influencing factors, and to understand the key aspects of a successful knowledge transfer strategy. The Dynamic Knowledge Transfer Model by Wehn and Montalvo, 2018 was used for data analysis. Based on our findings, we suggest that a successful transfer strategy between academia and practice needs to be multi-directional and agile. Moreover, partners within the transfer need to be on equal terms about expected knowledge transfer project outcomes. Our proposed measures focus particularly on regular consultations and communication during and after the project proposal phase.
BACKGROUND Diabetes is a major global epidemic and a serious public health problem. Diabetes self-management of blood glucose levels is a 24/7 challenge for diabetics, which influences their quality of life. Apps can support diabetics with their self-management, but current apps do not meet up with diabetics needs and patient safety is not guaranteed. Moreover, there are still numerous hard- and software problems regarding diabetes apps and regulations and guidelines are required to regulate medical care via apps. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to contribute to the technology development process of diabetes apps by exploring individual perspectives on desired features and content of diabetes apps among diabetics. METHODS In a qualitative study, 24 semi-structured interviews with diabetes type 1 patients were conducted, among whom ten currently using an app. A vision assessment was performed to make diabetics visions about features and content of diabetes apps explicit. RESULTS According to diabetics, future apps should improve their sensor and app connectivity to avoid incorrect value display due to lack of sensor and app connectivity. Further, future apps should explicitly indicate that the displayed values are delayed. Additionally, personalized information was found to be lacking in apps. Therefore, AI should be integrated into future apps to predict blood glucose levels and provide personalized information to diabetics. To improve usability, future apps should include modes for beginners and experts. Respondents also missed communication and sharing options with peers and diabetologists. Future apps should therefore provide communication and information sharing options in the form of chat and forum functions. Lastly, it was noted that the alarm sounds of the apps attract too much attention by others, which, consequently, let diabetics feel uncomfortable. CONCLUSIONS Diabetics have concrete ideas of features and content in apps to improve their quality of life and allow them to live as comfortable as possible, such as informative predictions through AI, improvements in signal loss and value delay through smartwatches, improved communication and information sharing capabilities, reliable information sources and a user-friendly and discreet messaging options through smartwatches. The vision assessment conducted is a first step towards creating a shared vision among all relevant stakeholders. In the future, guiding visions from all relevant stakeholders are needed to ensure an appropriate research and an adequate development process regarding diabetes apps.
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