Pilot Study of a Novel Application for Data Visualization in Type 1 Diabetes.

Area of Science:

• Diabetes Technology
• Health Informatics
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• A novel software application, Blip, was developed to integrate and present diabetes data from various devices uniformly.
• The study aimed to evaluate the usability of the Blip application among adults and caregivers of children with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the usability and user experience of the Blip diabetes data management application.
• To understand how the application impacts diabetes data utilization and management practices.

Main Methods:

• 35 patients and 30 caregivers of children with T1D, using insulin pumps for over a year, tested the software for 3 months.
• Data on diabetes management and data use were collected at baseline and study end, with a final feedback questionnaire.

Main Results:

• Participants valued data interpretation and shared responsibility but showed low baseline data download rates (43% never, 9% monthly).
• Post-use, 72% downloaded data during the study, and 38% did so monthly, indicating increased data engagement.
• Users appreciated the central data repository and interface but requested improved pattern interpretation tools and mobile access.

Conclusions:

• Iterative development, driven by user feedback, enhanced the software's data visualization, uploading process, and user interface.
• This collaborative approach facilitates clinical integration and supports future research in diabetes data management.