Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Research Protocols
Date Submitted: Aug 21, 2023
Date Accepted: Oct 24, 2023
Warning: This is an author submission that is not peer-reviewed or edited. Preprints - unless they show as "accepted" - should not be relied on to guide clinical practice or health-related behavior and should not be reported in news media as established information.
Feasibility Empowering Foot Care Literacy among People Living with Diabetes and Their Carers with mHealth App: Protocol for Feasibility Study
ABSTRACT
Background:
Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) cause significant morbidity affecting 15% to 25% people living with diabetes Mellitus (DM). DFUs not only impair quality of life but also pose serious risks, including the impact on mortality rates. Diabetes and foot care education has proven to impact health outcomes. New technologies, including mHealth interventions such as health apps bring the potential for more cost-effective and scalable interventions.
Objective:
The study aims to examine the feasibility and usability of a newly developed mHealth app, Well Feet. Well Feet is a diabetes and foot care education app for individuals living with DM and exposed to the risk of developing DFU.
Methods:
This mixed method approach uses a series of validated questionnaires and focus group discussions and aims at evaluating the feasibility and usability of Well Feet among the study participants. The utilization of both quantitative and qualitative measures enhances the depth and breadth of insights gained from this evaluation. The findings from this study will play a dual role: refining and enhancing the features of the Well Feet app based on user feedback, and shaping the procedural framework for a subsequent controlled trial.
Results:
Patient recruitment began in July 2023, the intervention and data collection will be completed by the end of September 2023.
Conclusions:
Through this feasibility study, the Well Feet mHealth education app will undergo a comprehensive quantitative and qualitative evaluation. By focusing on foot care knowledge and skills, the app addresses a critical aspect of DM management. The assessment of usability and acceptance not only provides valuable guidance for potential improvements but also contributes to the knowledge base available to other researchers working in the field of DFU management interventions. Ultimately, this study bridges the gap between cutting-edge technology and the pressing healthcare needs of individuals with DM, potentially paving the way for more effective and accessible interventions in the future.
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Copyright
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