What Factors Predict the Adoption of Type 2 Diabetes Patients to Wearable Activity Trackers-Application of Diffusion of Innovation Theory

Adoption of Wearable Insulin Biosensors for Diabetes Management: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

Wearable insulin biosensors represent a novel approach that combines the benefits of real-time glucose monitoring and automated insulin delivery, potentially revolutionizing how individuals with diabetes manage their condition.

STUDY PURPOSE

To analyze the behavioral intentions of wearable insulin biosensors among diabetes patients, the factors that drive or hinder their usage, and the implications for diabetes management and healthcare outcomes.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey design was adopted in this study. The validated questionnaire included 10 factors (Performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, behavioral intention, trust, perceived privacy risk, and personal innovativeness) affecting the acceptance of wearable insulin sensors. A total of 248 diabetic patients who had used wearable sensors participated in the study.

RESULTS

Performance expectancy was rated the highest (Mean = 3.84 out of 5), followed by effort expectancy (Mean = 3.78 out of 5), and trust (Mean = 3.53 out of 5). Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed with respect to socio-demographic variables including age and gender on various influencing factors and adoption intentions. PE, EE, and trust were positively associated with adoption intentions.

CONCLUSION

While wearable insulin sensors are positively perceived with respect to diabetes management, issues like privacy and security may affect their adoption.

Digital Health and Shared Decision-Making in Diabetes Care - A Survey Initiative in Patients and Clinicians

OBJECTIVE

To assess the landscape of digital health resources in the United States, better understand the impact of the digital health on shared decision-making and identify potential barriers and opportunities for progress in the care of persons with diabetes.

METHODS

The study consisted of two phases: (1) A qualitative phase in which one-on-one interviews were conducted virtually with 34 physicians (Endocrinologists, Endos: n=15; primary care physicians, PCPs: n=19) between February 11-18, 2021, and (2) A quantitative phase in which two online, email-based surveys in the English language were conducted between April 16 and May 17, 2021: one with healthcare professionals (HCP) (n=403: n=200 Endos and n=203 PCPs), and one with persons with diabetes (n=517: patients with type 1 diabetes, n=257; patients with type 2 diabetes, n=260).

RESULTS

Diabetes digital health tools were found to be helpful in shared decision-making, but leading barriers include cost, coverage, and lack of time by healthcare professionals. Among diabetes digital health tools, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems were used most commonly and viewed as most effective in improving quality of life and facilitating shared decision-making. Strategies for increasing use of diabetes digital health resources included lower cost, integration into electronic health records, and increased simplicity of tools.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed that both Endos and PCPs feel that diabetes digital health tools have an overall positive impact. Integration with telemedicine and simpler, lower cost tools with increased patient access can further facilitate shared decision-making and improved diabetes care and quality of life.

Behavioral Interpretation of Willingness to Use Wearable Health Devices in Community Residents: A Cross-Sectional Study

Wearable health devices (WHDs) have become increasingly advantageous in long-term health monitoring and patient management. However, most people have not yet benefited from such innovative technologies, and the willingness to accept WHDs and their influencing factors are still unclear. Based on two behavioral theories: the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and the diffusion of innovation (DOI), this study aims to explore the influencing factors of willingness to use WHDs in community residents from the perspective of both internal and external factors. A convenience sample of 407 community residents were recruited from three randomly selected Community Health Service Centers (CHSCs) in Nanjing, China, and were investigated with a self-developed questionnaires. The mean score of willingness to use WHDs was 17.00 (range 5-25). In the dimensions of TPB, perceived behavioral control (β = 1.979, p < 0.001) was the strongest influencing factor. Subjective norms (β = 1.457, p < 0.001) and attitudes (β = 0.651, p = 0.016) were also positively associated with willingness. In innovation characteristics of DOI, compatibility (β = 0.889, p < 0.001) and observability (β = 0.576, p = 0.003) had positive association with the willingness to wear a WHD. This study supports the applicability of the two behavioral theories to interpret the willingness to use WHDs in Chinese community residents. Compared with the innovative features of WHDs, individual cognitive factors were more critical predictors of willingness to use.