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Health‐e mums: Evaluating a smartphone app design for diabetes prevention in women with previous gestational diabetes
Author(s) -
O'Reilly Sharleen L.,
Laws Rachel
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
nutrition and dietetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.479
H-Index - 31
eISSN - 1747-0080
pISSN - 1446-6368
DOI - 10.1111/1747-0080.12461
Subject(s) - gestational diabetes , focus group , medicine , diabetes mellitus , mhealth , population , gerontology , pregnancy , family medicine , nursing , gestation , environmental health , psychological intervention , genetics , marketing , business , biology , endocrinology
Aim Women with prior gestational diabetes have increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes postpartum. While diabetes prevention programs are effective in reducing a woman's risk, the reach of traditional face‐to‐face programs is poor in this population and using a mHealth approach appears to be promising. We aimed to evaluate a pilot smartphone app developed from an evidence‐based diabetes prevention program specifically for women with previous gestational diabetes mellitus using a series of focus groups to explore the app functionality and messaging. Methods The Health‐e Mums app underwent an iterative, three‐phase development: initial development, wireframe development and pilot testing. Twenty‐six women participated in four focus groups during the pilot‐testing phase. The focus group transcripts were analysed thematically to evaluate the app functionality and user‐experience. Results Focus group participants identified diabetes screening confusion and a need for personalisation as sub‐themes within the app functionality theme. The user‐experience exploration found generally positive findings but participants had mixed responses to the utility of video segments and applying milestones relating to diabetes prevention guidelines. Conclusions A user‐centred approach was taken to develop a diabetes prevention program app for women with prior gestational diabetes. Women were predominantly satisfied with the overall app design, how it functioned and what the user experience would be like when fully developed.