A Culturally Sensitive Mobile App (DiaFriend) to Improve Self-Care in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: Development Study (Preprint)

Abstract

BACKGROUND Background: Mobile applications (apps) have demonstrated effectiveness in supporting self-care in patients with type 2 diabetes. However, the absence of cultural relevance in these apps may diminish user engagement, especially among specific ethnic groups. Portuguese Americans, a unique population with specific needs in diabetes management, appear to be an understudied group in this regard, with a lack of published research on culturally tailored diabetes apps designed for their unique needs and preferences. OBJECTIVE Objective: This study aimed to develop a prototype app for Portuguese Americans with T2DM using the design thinking approach. METHODS Methods: The development process was guided by the five-step design thinking methodology, a rigorous approach suggested by the Hasso-Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford University. Phase 1 of this study involved the first two steps: empathize and define. Phase 2, the focus of this paper, comprised the following two steps: ideate and prototype, during which the prototype DiaFriend app (Version 1) was designed and developed. Phase 3, the fifth step, test, entails the ongoing evaluation of the app. RESULTS Results: The DiaFriend app (Version 1), meticulously designed with insights from Portuguese Americans with type 2 diabetes residing in Massachusetts, comprises five features: blood glucose monitoring, weight tracking, carbohydrate tracking, exercise log, and medication reminder. The carbohydrate tracking feature was explicitly tailored to correspond to Portuguese food culture. This paper details the app's development, the creation of the frontend interface, and the challenges faced during the backend development, which further underscores the meticulousness and dedication in the ideate processing and beginning creation of the prototype. CONCLUSIONS Conclusions: The research team firmly believes that the DiaFriend app (Version 1), with its unique and crucial cultural sensitivity, has the potential to significantly improve self-care among Portuguese Americans with type 2 diabetes. This innovative approach sets the stage for a more culturally tailored and effective approach to diabetes management, underscoring the importance of cultural relevance in healthcare technology.