Patients’ and Health Care Professionals’ Perceptions of the Potential of Using the Digital Diabetes Questionnaire to Prepare for Diabetes Care Meetings: Qualitative Focus Group Interview Study (Preprint)

Abstract

BACKGROUND In effective diabetes management, it is important that providers and health-care systems prioritise the delivery of patient-centred care and is respectful of and responsive to individual patients’ preferences and barriers. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to conduct focus group interviews to capture patients’ and health-care professionals’ perceptions and attitudes to digital technology and to explore how a digital Diabetes Questionnaire can support patient participation in diabetes care as a basis for an implementation study. METHODS A qualitative interviewing study with six focus group discussions in total was conducted with diabetes specialist nurses and medical doctors (n=29) and four focus group discussions with persons with diabetes (n=23). A semi-structured interview guide was developed using probing questions. The data were transcribed verbatim and qualitative content analysis was performed using an inductive approach. RESULTS Two main categories were revealed by the qualitative analysis: “Perceptions of digital technology and digital questionnaire in diabetes management and care” and “Perception of participation in diabetes care.” An overarching theme that emerged from the interviews was “The patients’ and professionals’ involvement in diabetes care using digital tools.” CONCLUSIONS The analysis points out important factors to consider when introducing the digital Diabetes Questionnaire in clinical use. Both professionals and patients need support and training in its practical implementation as well as providing feedback on the questionnaire answers.