A Living Laboratory Exploring Mobile Support for Everyday Life with Diabetes

Abstract

The paper presents the set up of a Living Laboratory in a city of North Denmark exploring mobile support for everyday life with diabetes. Background and definitions of the living lab method is presented together with descriptions of the technical setup, applications and explorations. The living lab method was practiced over two iterations-one in 2008 and one in 2009. 17 diabetes families, 9 service providers, researchers and ICT-consultants has participated in the activities. The results present how the living lab method provides an open platform for exploring technology in naturalistic settings combined with controlled activities, technical set up, support and data collection. The meetings of users, researchers, developers, and service providers in the living lab showed how living labs are an open platform supporting interactive learning among participants on technological innovations. The living lab method as combined here with a user-driven approach is an example of how designers can carry out and gain from working with people as co-creators in design projects.

Factors Affecting the Attrition of Test Users During Living Lab Field Trials

“…Furthermore, technical issues and a small user base generated dropout among the participants. This finding is in line with Kanstrup, Bjerge, and Kristensen (2010), who argue that users dropout when the technology is unstable. Finally, for the third field trial, time restrictions caused non-participation in the assignments, as was also found by Simons, Hampe, and Guldemond (2013).…”

“…Kanstrup, Bjerge, and Kristensen (2010) argue that the stability of the ICT infrastructure and some kind of user support are factors that decrease the rate of attrition, but do not make a distinction between dropout and non-usage attrition.…”

Concealing or Revealing Mobile Medical Devices?

“…Like using design probes with children [40], using cognitive probes with people with T1D and T2D [24], and conducting participatory design and running a living lab with families [19,20], user-driven design might provide another way forward for self-management tools. This could involve using rapid prototyping and open source hardware and software in creating bespoke mobile medical technology.…”

IT-services for everyday life with diabetes

“…Additionally, 9 service providers (restaurants, bakeries, super market, tourist office, butcher"s shops) from the city of Skagen in North Denmark participated in establishing the living laboratory for digital health services. For elaborations see [2].…”