19 June 2024
English
200 p.
Type-1-diabetes | self-management | Systematic literature review | online educational tool | carbohydrate counting
- Background: Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition affecting many people globally. This chronic disease requires a high level of self-management, which is a challenge for all relevant professions. Improving self-management by developing and enhancing specialised diabetes online applications is a promising area of intervention in the literature to support individuals and HCPs. The findings of available research studies suggest the need for insights in the field with further efforts in research and evaluations. Objective: This mixed methods study aims to develop a usable and valuable online diabetes learning tool based on carbohydrate counting available to people with T1D and HCPs in Cyprus and to evaluate the usability and user experience. Methods: Firstly, the research team gathered feedback and constructively discussed it with Cyprus Dietetic Association members to finalise the web application's content and usability. These patients had expressed a desire for a user-friendly and intuitive application that would assist them in managing their diabetes more effectively. Then, the systematic review provided valuable insights into the requirements of individuals with T1D and their support network about the usability of an online educational tool. The findings of this review were useful in forming the design and 3 development of diabetes health web applications that cater to the specific needs of adults with T1D. An experienced information technology informatics professional was recruited to develop a diabetes web application. The web application has been designed and developed with a strong emphasis on security and data privacy. The study is designed to welcome the DiAPPeat web application evaluation from two groups (individuals with T1D and HCPs) following strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. The sample size was determined based on Nielsen and Landauer (1993), who present that the think-aloud protocol cooperates with numerous modest tests with no more than five users per group, as this method ensures the best evaluation results. The mixed methods study used the Triangulation Design Method as a data collection and analysis framework. A variety of instruments were utilised, including remote-moderated qualitative usability testing, a primary questionnaire featuring the System Usability Scale (SUS) by Brooke, John (1995), and the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) by Davis (1989). Additionally, the researcher included two open-ended interview questions at the end of the verbal online usability test and two more after the main feedback questionnaire. To ensure that all relevant data was captured, the researcher also collected notes of significant phrases or statements provided by participants. Results: Thirteen persons participated in the survey (6 with T1D and 7 HCPs). All participants from both groups expressed their enthusiasm for the web application's ease of use and usefulness, noting that it was straightforward and intuitive to navigate. The participants also highlighted the satisfaction derived from practising on the actual web application, indicating that this was an effective tool for enhancing user engagement and interaction. Conclusions: The study suggests that the web application's user-friendly design and intuitive interface could play a crucial role as an educational tool for the self-management of Cypriots with T1D, who live in Cyprus. The study's findings could serve future research for designing and improving educational tools, especially in content, layout, usability and accessibility. Comments and experience could also serve in future research for clinical trials to assess usability and long-term diabetes management and the incorporation of these types of applications into clinical practice and in the community. Furthermore, targeting other specific age groups, such as children and adults over 65 and people with other vulnerabilities, is necessary
Development of an online educational tool for adults with type 1 diabetes living in Cyprus, based on carbohydrate counting and incorporating their views and needs.
- PhD thesis
- english
