GlucOnline: Investigating a mobile diabetes self-management coach

In this study we interviewed several adolescents with type 1 diabetes to gain insight in the needs of this specific group regarding mobile self-management applications. The interviews involved questions about the usage of mHealth applications that could support them in their diabetes selfmanagement, and involved questions about possible features of a new type 1 diabetes self-management mHealth application that is planned to be be developed in co-operation with the Gelderse Vallei Hospital. The goal is to develop a virtual coach that supports self-management in the patient and improves the relation between the patient and healthcare professional. The problem we are investigating is how to stimulate adolescents with type 1 diabetes in their blood-glucose measurement frequency and how to support them in the selfmanagement of their condition. We found that mHealth usage was very low, but the ideas behind mHealth were very well received by patients and parents. We found several possible indications of how the information exchange between the patient and healthcare professional should take place. Besides we found indications on how the patient should be reminded by an application and by the healthcare provider. We also found which selfmanagement functionality was most appreciated and what kind of stimulation in the form of rewards could be introduced in a type 1 diabetes mHealth application. The findings gave some new insights, but mainly confirmed the chosen strategy and direction.