mHealth applications for diabetes: User preference and implications for app development.

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Diabetes Management
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Rising diabetes prevalence necessitates sustainable, person-centered care models.
• The mobile health (mHealth) market for diabetes self-care is expanding, yet key features remain undefined.
• Understanding user preferences is crucial for effective mHealth app development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess diabetes patient opinions on mHealth app features.
• To inform the development of more effective and valued diabetes self-care applications.
• To identify barriers and facilitators for mHealth engagement in diabetes management.

Main Methods:

• A questionnaire was developed based on an analysis of existing diabetes mHealth apps.
• The questionnaire was distributed to 400 patients stratified by diabetes type and age.
• Responses were analyzed by subgroup, comparing preferences with current app functionalities.

Main Results:

• A 59% response rate was achieved; 62% of respondents owned smartphones.
• Smartphone users showed a high preference for mHealth (71%), but actual diabetes app usage was low (7%).
• Patients favored numerous potential features, with consistent preferences across different diabetes types.

Conclusions:

• mHealth acceptance is high among diabetes patients, contrasting with low current engagement levels.
• Incorporating stakeholders, particularly patients, in development driven by clinical needs can enhance mHealth engagement and functionality.
• Future mHealth strategies must bridge the gap between acceptance and active utilization for improved diabetes self-care outcomes.