Adopting the sensemaking perspective for chronic disease self-management

Abstract

Background Self-monitoring is an integral component of many chronic diseases; however few theoretical frameworks address how individuals understand self-monitoring data and use it to guide self-management. Purpose To articulate a theoretical framework of sensemaking in diabetes self-management that integrates existing scholarship with empirical data. Methods The proposed framework is grounded in theories of sensemaking adopted from organizational behavior, education, and human-computer interaction. To empirically validate the framework the researchers reviewed and analyzed reports on qualitative studies of diabetes self-management practices published in peer-reviewed journals from 2000 to 2015. Results The proposed framework distinguishes between sensemaking and habitual modes of self-management and identifies three essential sensemaking activities: perception of new information related to health and wellness, development of inferences that inform selection of actions, and carrying out daily activities in response to new information. The analysis of qualitative findings from 50 published reports provided ample empirical evidence for the proposed framework; however, it also identified a number of barriers to engaging in sensemaking in diabetes self-management. Conclusions The proposed framework suggests new directions for research in diabetes self-management and for design of new informatics interventions for data-driven self-management.

Data, Data Everywhere, and Still Too Hard to Link

“…While [24] investigated how technology can assist with collecting diverse data for conscious reflection and learning, [1] noted that such HCI research depends on high user motivation and explored how to utilize 'Mindless Computing' or the changing of people's behaviors without their awareness. Of particular interest to our research, [25] proposed a sensemaking framework, a cyclical multi-stage model where gaps in understanding lead individuals to construct and test new mental models, which when verified can assist in guiding future actions in a more automatic and therefore sustainable manner.…”

Questioning the Reflection Paradigm for Diabetes Mobile Apps

“…Li et al [8] investigated which sorts of questions users seek to answer with collected data, and the shifting nature of their needs. Mamykina et al [9][10][11] have written extensively on the use of computer-based systems to aid People with Diabetes (PWD). This work largely focuses on sensemaking, which Mamykina et al define as the "perception of new information related to health and wellness, development of inferences that inform selection of actions, and carrying out daily activities in response to new information."…”

“…This work largely focuses on sensemaking, which Mamykina et al define as the "perception of new information related to health and wellness, development of inferences that inform selection of actions, and carrying out daily activities in response to new information." [11]. Kanstrup et al [12] looked at the situational infrastructure of diabetes management in the home in order to enable participatory design of IT based systems for supporting daily life [13].…”

Present and Future Trends in Consumer Health Informatics and Patient-Generated Health Data

“…The increasing access and connection between clinics and homes have indicated new opportunities in bridging the gaps. Better interpretations of patient data for the patients are expected to provide better connections to user's internal motivators for sense-making and persuasion [54][55][56]. This will then allow the adoption of a positive psychology and help the target users to focus on their own reason for goal attainment.…”