JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Diabetes self-management apps have the potential to improve self-management by people with type 2 diabetes. Although efficacy trials provide evidence of health benefits, premature disengagement from apps is common. Therefore, it is important to understand factors that influence engagement in real-world settings.

Objective:

To evaluate the ‘My Diabetes Coach’ self-management app in terms of users’ experiences over a nine-month period, and explore how user characteristics, the context of app use and the features of the app interact to influence user engagement.

Methods:

We conducted a qualitative evaluation with 19 participants who had accessed the ‘My Diabetes Coach’ self-management app via their own smartphone for nine months. Interviews focused on the users’ characteristics, the context within which the app was used, barriers and facilitators of app use, and on the design, content and delivery of support within the app.

Results:

Interview participants were aged 60 (SD=14) years. Eight (42%) were women. Eight (42%) participants had type 2 diabetes for less than five years, eight (42%) for five-ten years and three (16%) for more than ten years. Two themes were constructed from interview data: 1) the moderating effect of diabetes self-management styles on needs, preferences and expectations and 2) factors influencing users’ engagement with the app: one size does not fit all.

Conclusions:

User characteristics, context of use and features of the app interact and influence engagement. Promoting engagement is vital if diabetes self-management apps are to become a useful complement to clinical care in supporting optimal self-management. Clinical Trial: Australia New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ID CTRN12614001229662