Mobile Applications for Diabetes Self-Management: Status and Potential

Abstract

Research into the adoption and use of user-centered and sociotechnical design principles is needed to improve usability, perceived usefulness, and, ultimately, adoption of the technology. Proliferation and efficacy of interventions involving mobile applications will benefit from a holistic approach that takes into account patients' expectations and providers' needs.

Characteristics of Chinese m-Health Applications for Diabetes Self-Management

“…These are also the most common features in U.S. diabetes apps, 12,26 supporting the generalizability of our findings. However, few apps included more than 12 of the 15 self-management features, and seven of the apps had none, suggesting that few of the apps could provide a comprehensive set of tools for diabetes self-management.…”

“…Evidence suggests that information about laboratory tests, CAM, healthcare providers, and psychosocial support are all important to patients. [23][24][25] Information about psychosocial support, for example, affects patients' well-being, 12,26,28 and psychosocial interventions can improve patients' diabetes self-management. 1,3,8,29 Not providing information about the psychosocial aspects of diabetes self-management is a missed opportunity that should be addressed.…”

“…7 This can lead to severe health consequences and a sense of powerlessness regarding treatment and self-management. [8][9][10][11] Effective self-management of diabetes 12,13 can be supported by mobile health (m-health) applications (apps), enabling patients to communicate with healthcare providers regarding glucose levels, weight, and diet control. [14][15][16][17] The quality of m-health tools is problematic, however; few apps offer all of the features considered necessary for effective diabetes management, 18 and despite the high prevalence of diabetes and adoption rate of mobile phones in China, 19,20 knowledge about the quality of diabetes-related Chinese mobile apps is lacking.…”

A technological framework based on automatic messaging for improving adherence of diabetic patients

“…Se ha demostrado que estos dos factores desempeñan un papel fundamental en la adherencia a la prescripción, así como en el fomento exitoso de un estilo de vida sana y otros cambios de conducta (Heneghan et al, 2013). Un plan de educación personalizada es indispensable para proporcionarle al paciente las herramientas adecuadas que necesita para la autogestión efectiva de la enfermedad (El-Gayar et al 2013).…”

“…It has been demonstrated that these two factors play an essential role in prescription adherence, as well as for the successful encouragement of a healthy life-style and other behavioural changes (Heneghan et al 2013). A personalised education plan is indispensable in order to provide the patient with the appropriate tools needed for the effective self-management of the disease (El-Gayar et al 2013). …”