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Users' acceptability of a mobile application for persons with type 2 diabetes: a qualitative study
Astrid Torbjørnsen1,2, Lis Ribu3, Marit Rønnevig3
1Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, Faculty of Health Sciences, OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway. astridto@oslomet.no.
BMC Health Services Research
|September 8, 2019
Summary
Mobile diabetes apps require effort but can improve lifestyle and glucose control. User acceptance hinges on utility and support from healthcare professionals for effective diabetes self-management.
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.