Co-Designing a Digital Health Application for Assisting Self-Care Diabetes Patients: A Qualitative Study

Managing diabetes involves complex self-care activities, requiring continuous support. Although digital health applications have shown promise, many fail to meet patients' sustained needs. This study aims to understand the needs and preferences of patients for co-designing a digital health application focused on diabetes self-care.

A qualitative study was conducted using focus group discussions within two workshops, each lasting between 60 and 90 min, involving 27 participants diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Limiting participants to those with relatively stable disease management may have resulted in underrepresentation of individuals facing acute complications or unstable glycemic control; this was considered when interpreting the findings. Reflexive thematic analysis was applied to identify key themes.

Three main themes emerged: (1) current knowledge and practices in diabetes management, (2) challenges faced in self-care, and (3) expectations for a digital health application. Participants highlighted the need for user-friendly, interactive features addressing diet, physical activity, and emotional support.

The co-design process underscored the importance of involving end-users to ensure the application meets their specific needs, fostering sustainable self-care.