A Scoping Review and General User's Guide for Facilitating the Successful Use of eHealth Programs for Diabetes in Clinical Care

Can a Basic Management App Paired With A Glucose Meter Help Reduce Glucose Levels Among Adults With Type 2 Diabetes? The REALL Study

OBJECTIVE

Evaluations of technology to help adults manage type 2 diabetes (T2D) have yielded mixed results. We analyzed the effectiveness of a free app linked to a glucose meter to study reductions in glucose levels over time among a self-selected sample of adults with T2D.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Adults with T2D >12 months, >21 years, ability to read English (insulin using-IU and non-insulin using-NIU) who independently elected to pair their CONTOUR NEXT ONE meter with the CONTOUR DIABETES App were invited to participate. Glucose data from baseline to 16 weeks were uploaded to the cloud (N = 461). Assessment of diabetes distress, medication taking, quality of life, and hypoglycemia concerns occurred at baseline, six, and 16 weeks.

RESULTS

Findings indicated a significant decrease in weekly glucose levels over time: baseline mean = 169 (62.0) (9.4 mmol/L; 3.44); 16-week mean = 146.5 (36.0) (8.1 mmol/L; 2.0) (P < .001), with no IU and NIU differences. Largest reductions occurred during the first six weeks, with no later rebound effects. Significant, though modest, improvements in global quality of life (P = .03), hypoglycemia concerns (P = .01), and diabetes distress (P < .001) occurred over 16 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS

Making an App for monitoring glucose easily available for download with a glucose meter can be helpful for self-selected adults with T2D. Effective utilization assumes that users are sufficiently motivated and engaged, are comfortable and trusting of the technology, and have sufficient knowledge of how to make use of the glucose data.

How Frequently and for How Long Do Adults With Type 2 Diabetes Use Management Apps? The REALL Study

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study is to identify predictors of utilization of a type 2 diabetes (T2D) management App over time for insulin users (IUs) and noninsulin users (NIUs).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We followed over 16 weeks a national sample of unselected T2D adults who independently elected to download and pair a CONTOUR DIABETES App with their CONTOUR NEXT ONE glucose meter. App use and frequency of glucose testing were recorded. Baseline surveys recorded participant demographic, disease status, distress, medication taking, and views of technology to predict utilization.

RESULTS

Mean age was 51.6 years (108 IUs; 353 NIUs), 48% were female, time with diabetes was 6.9 years, and self-reported HbA1c was 8.1% (36.3 mmol/mol). Mean duration of App use was 85.4 days and 40% stopped using the App before 16 weeks. Continuous users were older and reported higher distress, better medication taking, and more positive attitudes toward technology (all P < .01). IUs tested more frequently than NIUs, but frequency and intensity of testing decreased markedly for both groups over time. More predictors of App use frequency and testing occurred for NIUs than IUs: older age, higher HbA1c, lower distress, more medication taking (all P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

App use and testing decreased markedly over time. Variations in the predictors of frequency of App use suggest that the utilization of mobile technologies requires a tailored approach that addresses the specific needs of individual users, compared with adopting a one-size-fits-all strategy, and that IUs and NIUs may require very different strategies of customization.

Mobile Health Apps for the Control and Self-management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Qualitative Study on Users' Acceptability and Acceptance

BACKGROUND

Mobile health apps are promising tools to help patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) improve their health status and thereby achieve diabetes control and self-management. Although there is a wide array of mobile health apps for T2DM available at present, apps are not yet integrated into routine diabetes care. Acceptability and acceptance among patients with T2DM is a major challenge and prerequisite for the successful implementation of apps in diabetes care.

OBJECTIVE

This study provides an in-depth understanding of the perceptions of patients with T2DM before use (acceptability) and after use (acceptance) regarding 4 different mobile health apps for diabetes control and self-management.

METHODS

A descriptive qualitative research design was used in this study. Participants could choose 1 of the 4 selected apps for diabetes control and self-management (ie, Clear.bio in combination with FreeStyle Libre, mySugr, MiGuide, and Selfcare). The selection was based on a systematic analysis of the criteria for (functional) requirements regarding monitoring, data collection, provision of information, coaching, privacy, and security. To explore acceptability, 25 semistructured in-depth interviews were conducted with patients with T2DM before use. This was followed by 4 focus groups to discuss the acceptance after use. The study had a citizen science approach, that is, patients with T2DM collaborated with researchers as coresearchers. All coresearchers actively participated in the preparation of the study, data collection, and data analysis. Data were collected between April and September 2021. Thematic analysis was conducted using a deductive approach using AtlasTi9.

RESULTS

In total, 25 coresearchers with T2DM participated in this study. Of them, 12 coresearchers tested Clear, 5 MiGuide, 4 mySugr, and 4 Selfcare. All coresearchers participated in semistructured interviews, and 18 of them attended focus groups. Personal health was the main driver of app use. Most coresearchers were convinced that a healthy lifestyle would improve blood glucose levels. Although most coresearchers did not expect that they need to put much effort into using the apps, the additional effort to familiarize themselves with the app use was experienced as quite high. None of the coresearchers had a health care professional who provided suggestions on using the apps. Reimbursement from insurance companies and the acceptance of apps for diabetes control and self-management by the health care system were mentioned as important facilitating conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

The research showed that mobile health apps provide support for diabetes control and self-management in patients with T2DM. Integrating app use in care as usual and guidelines for health care professionals are recommended. Future research is needed on how to increase the implementation of mobile health apps in current care pathways. In addition, health care professionals need to improve their digital skills, and lifelong learning is recommended.

Perspectives on Promoting Physical Activity Using eHealth in Primary Care by Health Care Professionals and Individuals With Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes: Qualitative Study

BACKGROUND

The trend of an exponential increase in prediabetes and type 2 diabetes (T2D) is projected to continue rising worldwide. Physical activity could help prevent T2D and the progression and complications of the disease. Therefore, we need to create opportunities for individuals to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to self-manage their chronic condition through physical activity. eHealth is a potential resource that could facilitate self-management and thus improve population health. However, there is limited research on users' perception of eHealth in promoting physical activity in primary care settings.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to explore the perspectives of health care professionals and individuals with prediabetes and T2D on eHealth to promote physical activity in primary care.

METHODS

A qualitative approach was applied using focus group discussions among individuals with prediabetes or T2D (14 participants in four groups) and health care professionals (10 participants in two groups). The discussions were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Qualitative content analysis was used inductively to code the data.

RESULTS

Three main categories emerged: utility, adoption process, and accountability. The utility of eHealth was described as a motivational, entertaining, and stimulating tool. Registration of daily medical measurements and lifestyle parameters in a cohesive digital platform was recognized as a potential resource for strengthening self-management skills. The adoption process includes eHealth to increase the accessibility of care and personalize the support of physical activity. However, participants stated that digital technology might only suit some and could increase health care providers' administrative burden. Accountability refers to the knowledge and skills to optimize eHealth and ensure data integrity and security.

CONCLUSIONS

People with prediabetes and T2D and health care professionals positively viewed an integration of eHealth technology in primary care to promote physical activity. A cohesive platform using personal metrics, goal-setting, and social support to promote physical activity was suggested. This study identified eHealth illiteracy, inequality, privacy, confidentiality, and an increased workload on health care professionals as factors of concern when integrating eHealth into primary care. Continuous development of eHealth competence was reported as necessary to optimize the implementation of eHealth technology in primary care.

Pediatric Weight Management Through mHealth Compared to Face-to-Face Care: Cost Analysis of a Randomized Control Trial

BACKGROUND

Mobile health (mHealth) may improve pediatric weight management capacity and the geographical reach of services, and overcome barriers to attending physical appointments using ubiquitous devices such as smartphones and tablets. This field remains an emerging research area with some evidence of its effectiveness; however, there is a scarcity of literature describing economic evaluations of mHealth interventions.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to assess the economic viability of using an mHealth approach as an alternative to standard multidisciplinary care by evaluating the direct costs incurred within treatment arms during a noninferiority randomized controlled trial (RCT).

METHODS

A digitally delivered (via a smartphone app) maintenance phase of a pediatric weight management program was developed iteratively with patients and families using evidence-based approaches. We undertook a microcosting exercise and budget impact analysis to assess the costs of delivery from the perspective of the publicly funded health care system. Resource use was analyzed alongside the RCT, and we estimated the costs associated with the staff time and resources for service delivery per participant.

RESULTS

In total, 109 adolescents participated in the trial, and 84 participants completed the trial (25 withdrew from the trial). We estimated the mean direct cost per adolescent attending usual care at €142 (SD 23.7), whereas the cost per adolescent in the mHealth group was €722 (SD 221.1), with variations depending on the number of weeks of treatment completion. The conversion rate for the reference year 2013 was $1=€0.7525. The costs incurred for those who withdrew from the study ranged from €35 to €681, depending on the point of dropout and study arm. The main driver of the costs in the mHealth arm was the need for health professional monitoring and support for patients on a weekly basis. The budget impact for offering the mHealth intervention to all newly referred patients in a 1-year period was estimated at €59,046 using the assessed approach.

CONCLUSIONS

This mHealth approach was substantially more expensive than usual care, although modifications to the intervention may offer opportunities to reduce the mHealth costs. The need for monitoring and support from health care professionals (HCPs) was not eliminated using this delivery model. Further research is needed to explore the cost-effectiveness and economic impact on families and from a wider societal perspective.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01804855; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01804855.