Participatory Development of an Integrated, eHealth-Supported, Educational Care Pathway (Diabetes Box) for People...

Area of Science:

• Digital health interventions
• Behavioral medicine
• Diabetes management

Background:

• Type 2 diabetes (T2D) poses a significant global health burden.
• Lifestyle behavior change is crucial but complex, involving medical, behavioral, and psychological factors.
• eHealth tools offer accessible, cost-effective support for patient self-management and improved glucose regulation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an integrated, eHealth-supported educational care pathway for patients with Type 2 diabetes.
• To enhance patient self-management and glucose regulation through personalized digital interventions.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the Center for eHealth and Wellbeing Research roadmap (contextual inquiry, value specification, design).
• Incorporated a scoping review, past eHealth experiences, focus groups with healthcare professionals (HCPs), and a patient panel.
• Developed a prototype called the Diabetes Box, integrating personalized education, digital materials, self-measurements, and a smartphone app.

Main Results:

• Scoping review confirmed the importance of self-management education and eHealth potential for T2D.
• HCP focus groups emphasized including lifestyle factors, tailored approaches, and digital consultations.
• Patient panel feedback led to refinements, including a single app and immediate glucose visualization.

Conclusions:

• The Diabetes Box concept is considered useful and feasible by stakeholders.
• Direct automated feedback and education on stress and sleep are deemed essential components.
• A pilot study is planned to further assess the feasibility, acceptability, and usefulness of the Diabetes Box.