Background: The autoimmune disease Type 1 diabetesrequires self-management to minimise complications such as kidney failure, cardiovascular disease, and blindness. Interventions to improve self-management have been developed, however the effectiveness of these has been variable. Although there is a dearth of research, current smartphone technology provides an opportunity to improve diabetes self-management. Aim:The purpose of this study was to investigate participant’s view on the usefulness and satisfaction of a smartphone application as a Type 1 diabetes self-management aid. Methods: Participants in an overarching iPhone diabetes effectiveness study, which successfully demonstrated a 1.4% reduction in HbA1c, were invited to complete a satisfaction questionnaire for the current study. The questionnaire included, open ended, dichotomous questions and 62 questions using 5-point Likert scale, measuring satisfaction with theiPhone and Glucose Buddy (GB) application. Two factor-analyses revealed 4 major factors for questions on the questionnaire: functionality, usability, self-management and team-care. Mean Likert scale scores for each factor were categorised. Average Likert scale scores between 0-2.4 were categorised as low satisfaction, 2.5-3.4 moderate satisfaction and 3.5-5 high satisfaction. Results: 18 of 36 possible participants completed the questionnaire. A large percentage of participants expressed a high satisfaction with the iPhone functionality (78%), usability (67%) and self management (56%). Many of the participants also expressed a high satisfaction with the GB application functionality (50%), usability (67%) and self management (44%). In contrast, few participantsexpressed a high satisfaction with the iPhone and GBapplication assisting team care (17% and 11% respectively). Conclusion: Whilst participants reported low satisfaction with the iPhone and the GB applicationas tools to assist their current diabetes team,participants were highly satisfied with the functionality and usability of both the iPhone and GB application. Participants were also satisfied with this technology as a tool to support self-management. HbA1c reductions may be related to the high satisfaction scores.
1Centre for Physical Activity Studies, Central Queensland University.