Perceptions of Using Multiple Mobile Health Devices to Support Self-Management Among Adults With Type 2 Diabetes: A Qualitative Descriptive Study.
Allison A Lewinski, Jacqueline Vaughn, Anna Diane and 9 others
PMID 33928755WHAT IT FOUND
Most adults with type 2 diabetes found using a fitness tracker, glucometer and scale workable, but some reported device glitches and did not understand charts; patient-generated data need individualized explanation.
Key findings
01Most participants reported minimal challenges using multiple study-provided devices together and said they learned quickly after instruction by the study coordinator.
02Several participants reported glucometer Bluetooth, manual logging, update or strip-scanning problems, and fitness tracker band or charger problems.
03Most participants could relate charted data to behaviors, but some did not link data to behaviors and some noticed values that did not match their own actions.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
This is a convenience subsample of 20 people who agreed to interviews after a parent trial, so it may not represent patients who did not participate or who had more difficult diabetes. Participants were mostly female, mean age 57, and had fairly well-controlled diabetes, so views may not apply to men, younger adults or people with poorly controlled diabetes. Data visualizations were shown only at study completion, not during device use, so perceptions may differ if charts were available in real time. The study describes perceptions and interview themes, not measured outcomes; it cannot show that devices or visualizations improved self-management, adherence or blood glucose control. All participants received the same three devices and instruction in the parent study, and interviews were conducted by study staff, which may affect acceptability.
Declared interests
The article is labeled as NIH extramural research support. One author reports receiving funds from PhRMA Foundation and Otsuka, and the remaining authors have no competing interests to declare.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that giving patients a fitness tracker, glucometer and scale improves diabetes control. This paper only describes 20 adults' perceptions after using devices for six months, and it did not compare them with usual care or measure clinical outcomes.