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Clinical Trial
. 2017 Jun 26;17(1):91.
doi: 10.1186/s12911-017-0493-6.

Development and testing of a mobile application to support diabetes self-management for people with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes: a design thinking case study

Mira Petersen  1 , Nana F Hempler  2
Affiliations
Clinical Trial

Development and testing of a mobile application to support diabetes self-management for people with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes: a design thinking case study

Mira Petersen et al. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak. .

Erratum in

Abstract

Background: Numerous mobile applications have been developed to support diabetes-self-management. However, the majority of these applications lack a theoretical foundation and the involvement of people with diabetes during development. The aim of this study was to develop and test a mobile application (app) supporting diabetes self-management among people with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes using design thinking.

Methods: The app was developed and tested in 2015 using a design-based research approach involving target users (individuals newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes), research scientists, healthcare professionals, designers, and app developers. The research approach comprised three major phases: inspiration, ideation, and implementation. The first phase included observations of diabetes education and 12 in-depth interviews with users regarding challenges and needs related to living with diabetes. The ideation phrase consisted of four interactive workshops with users focusing on app needs, in which ideas were developed and prioritized. Finally, 14 users tested the app over 4 weeks; they were interviewed about usability and perceptions about the app as a support tool.

Results: A multifunctional app was useful for people with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes. The final app comprised five major functions: overview of diabetes activities after diagnosis, recording of health data, reflection games and goal setting, knowledge games and recording of psychological data such as sleep, fatigue, and well-being. Users found the app to be a valuable tool for support, particularly for raising their awareness about their psychological health and for informing and guiding them through the healthcare system after diagnosis.

Conclusions: The design thinking processes used in the development and implementation of the mobile health app were crucial to creating value for users. More attention should be paid to the training of professionals who introduce health apps.

Trial registration: Danish Data Protection Agency: 2012-58-0004. Registered 6 February 2016.

Keywords: Design thinking; Diabetes self-management; Diabetes support; Mobile application; Qualitative methods; Type 2 diabetes.

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Conflict of interest statement

Author’s information

MMPR: Candidate in Master of Science (MSc) in Health Promotion and Strategies and Educational Studies and research assistant at Diabetes Management Research, Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen. NFHR: Candidate in Master of Science in Public Health, University of Copenhagen, PhD, and senior researcher at Diabetes Management Research, Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen

Ethics approval and consent to participate

All users were informed of the aim of the study and gave their written consent to participate. The study was conducted in compliance with the Helsinki Declaration and was approved by the Danish Data Protection Agency (2012-58-0004) and processed by the National Committee on Health Research Ethics (16048960).

Consent for publication

Not applicable.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Summary of feedback from workshops with users
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
App functions
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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