Question 1
In the conclusions of the study, the researchers suggest that the PDAs used were outdated but that the same kind of function could be more practically utilized with a Smartphone application. How effective do you think a Smartphone application could be in self-monitoring of diabetes? What are some advantages or disadvantages that you would anticipate?
posted by Amy Sammis @ 10:07 AM
15 comments
15 Comments:
I think that a Smartphone application designed for diabetes management would be very successful. Those with Smartphones already use apps and I feel that they would quickly learn how to use the app and would benefit from having information quickly accessible. The app would promote self-efficacy and would serve as an educational tool for those managing diabetes. However, not everyone has a Smartphone or the funds to buy one. This would be a disadvantage for those who would like to self-monitor using this technology, but cannot afford the phone/app to do so.
I feel like the smart phone would be much more practical and useful than a PDA for this. I say this mainly because people will have their smart phone on them for several reasons anyway not just for diabetes management. This will make sure they don't have the inconvenience of carrying around a tester and a PDA but can use technology that they already have. Also, the participants are more familiar with how to use their smart phone where they might have to learn how to work the PDA.
I think that a smartphone application would be much more practical than a PDA because that's one less thing that needs to be carried around on a day to day basis. Many people are on their phones numerous times per day and could easily enter information without disrupting their day. I do not think, though, that an app would be as successful in older people because many times they view their phone as more of a hassle. I think that would cause them to view this app as a hassle as well and they would be less likely to fill in information.
Of course a smartphone app would be advantageous. People already carry their phones everywhere so it wouldn't be an extra thing to carry around. It would also aid in teaching people how to manage their diabetes and train people to pay attention to what they are eating and how much and what their blood sugars are before and after meals and so on. I am actually surprised there is not something out there like this already. The drawbacks- although it would be a great learning tool, people may start to depend on the app too much and may not be able to be confident in daily living without it which would not promote self-efficacy. And the other drawback that I can see is that, of course, not everyone has a smartphone and many will not want to get one.
I agree with everyone when they say that a Smart phone application would be more practical than a PDA. However, as most of you already said not everyone wants/can afford a smart phone. This would deter those who would like to participate in the study and limit the applicants for the study. Even those with smart phones don’t necessarily like using applications on their phone. If a smart phone, PDA or tablet were provided to those in the study with appropriate training sessions on how to use it effectively then I think the likelihood of compliance to the study would increase.
I agree with what everyone has said thus far--a smartphone would be more beneficial than a PDA because it is a singular device. However, thinking in terms of research, it would be difficult to standardize smartphone diabetes applications because everyone has a different phone--unless the study had enough funding to shell out the money for smartphones for everyone, but I doubt that would happen. In theory I think it is great, but before they can claim it works, they have to publish findings supporting that.
I believe a smart phone application would be great for diabetes management for people who are technologically savvy and can afford to have a smart phone. Most of the population today is glued to their phones so it was be a good way to monitor your daily intake, exercise, etc versus carrying around a PDA in addition to a smart phone. I think this would also be a great way to promote consistency with monitoring as well as self-efficacy through personal success. However, certain apps on phone do not always work correctly all the time which could lead to problems in daily monitoring.
As many of you have commented, a smart phone app would be a great tool for diabetes management, but would not be practical for everyone. That being said, no one method of self-monitoring works for everyone regardless of technology skill. For those that carry a smart phone, the tools are always right there at their fingertips. An added advantage of a smart phone app is the ability to educate patients while they are tracking their intake and BG levels. I see the opportunity for some neat charts/reports. If you show a graph of BG levels and if there is spike, you could drill into it and show what they ate prior. It would be a powerful tool to give patients, and their doctors, data to drive patient care and education. As many have also noted, technology has it's limitations. The app would have to be well designed or patients may not use it. It would also need to be available on a variety of platforms for it to be widely used.
As many of you have commented, a smart phone app would be a great tool for diabetes management, but would not be practical for everyone. That being said, no one method of self-monitoring works for everyone regardless of technology skill. For those that carry a smart phone, the tools are always right there at their fingertips. An added advantage of a smart phone app is the ability to educate patients while they are tracking their intake and BG levels. I see the opportunity for some neat charts/reports. If you show a graph of BG levels and if there is spike, you could drill into it and show what they ate prior. It would be a powerful tool to give patients, and their doctors, data to drive patient care and education. As many have also noted, technology has it's limitations. The app would have to be well designed or patients may not use it. It would also need to be available on a variety of platforms for it to be widely used.
To me, the key to patient compliance with any type of diabetes management is to make it simple and to empower them to take charge of their care. I think a smartphone app would do just that. Clearly it wouldn't work for everyone, but many people today have smartphones. This would provide them with a convenient way to view/track/evaluate BG, diet, exercise, medications, etc. I know there are already some apps out there that make tracking diet and exercise simple, so I can see this as something that will be utilized in the near future.
I really like Angela's idea of using an app as a means of communication between patient and medical team. From the experience I have, outpatient counseling sessions can be consumed by data collection. It takes a significant amount of time to get all the information needed from patients even without information from a BG or diet log. Having all this information available before you're face to face with a patient could make time spent together so much more beneficial and productive.
Molly I like your idea of providing the smart phone or tablet for the study because as many of us have mentioned not everyone can afford these items. I think this would also promote consistency throughout the study because everyone would be using the same device and have proper training in relation to using the advice and application use. However, this would be a very costly study to provide smart phone or tablet to all participants.
Erin, you have a great point. Providing the technology and the training would be costly, I didn't even think about that! Funding would be needed indeed.
Erin, you have a great point. Providing the technology and the training would be costly, I didn't even think about that! Funding would be needed indeed.
Angela you have a great point. Technology has it's downfalls. Something I just remembered until now is that they have omniPod's that are the first tubing-free insulin pumps. They are discreet, durable, wireless and easy to use. Not only does it continously check your blood glucose it tracks and stores your peaks and valleys while you are eating or not eating. It's PDM (Personal Diabetes Manager) wirelessly programs insulin deliveries, calculates suggested doses, stores and summarizes insulin delivery and all blood glucose and carbohydrate records. It also has a food library of over 1,000 common foods to help count carbs. You can then download your insulin deliveries, blood glucose and carbohydrate records to their health management system software called CoPilot which is free of charge and can create customized reports, charts and graphs of your records. The only downside to this idea is that extensive funding would be needed and it is one more handheld device to carry around including a blood glucose monitor and a cellphone.
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