Users' acceptability of a mobile application for persons with type 2 diabetes: a qualitative study

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Diabetes Management
• Health Informatics

Background:

• Mobile health apps are increasingly used for diabetes self-management.
• Limited research exists on app acceptability, long-term use, influencing factors, and integration with healthcare.
• Understanding user acceptability is crucial for predicting app adoption and effectiveness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To understand users' acceptability of a mobile app for diabetes self-management.
• To explore user communication with healthcare personnel regarding the app.
• To identify factors influencing the adoption and sustained use of diabetes self-management apps.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative descriptive study design.
• 24 semi-structured in-depth interviews with adults with type 2 diabetes who used a digital diabetes diary app for one year.
• Qualitative content analysis of interview transcripts, interpreted using a theory of acceptability.

Main Results:

• User acceptability of the app varied; routine use provided insights into diabetes registration and self-management.
• App utility was essential for both practical and social acceptability.
• Support from healthcare professionals was necessary for validating app-based decisions and for additional self-management guidance.

Conclusions:

• Both practical and social acceptability are critical for diabetes app integration.
• Users may tolerate some usability issues if the app's utility is perceived as high.
• Awareness of potential digital and clinical distress is important when incorporating diabetes apps into healthcare.