The use of mobile technology to facilitate self‐management in adults with type 1 diabetes: A qualitative explorative approach

Abstract

Abstract Aims (a) To explore how mobile technology can support self‐management in adults with type 1 diabetes (T1DM). (b) To inform a usability study in the design of a mobile application to facilitate self‐management of T1DM. Design Qualitative exploratory design. Methods Semi‐structured interviews were undertaken with adults with T1DM (N = 8). The data collected were analysed using a thematic analysis approach. Results Mobile technology has the potential to support adults in their self‐management of T1DM through facilitating their decision‐making, saving time and enabling them to easily share their data with their healthcare professional. Participants identified four main visualization characteristics for technology to aid in decision‐making; relationships between inputs, trends, graphs and colours, and identified essential features such as ease of use, convenience and connectivity.

Keywords

• mobile applications
• nurse
• nursing
• qualitative research
• self‐management
• support