Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019 Jul 30;16(15):2715. doi: 10.3390/ijerph16152715.
Social networks have the potential to enhance Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) self-management. We used qualitative methods to study if and how mobile application (app) functions that mobilize social resources to improve T2DM management would be desired in a low-income African American community. Data were collected through community discussions and in-depth interviews with 78 participants in 2016-2018. Participants included individuals with self-reported pre-diabetes, T2DM, close family members or friends of a T2DM patient, and healthcare providers. Open-ended questions solicited information about challenges with T2DM management and gathered ideas on features of a mobile app that could address them. Data were transcribed and thematically coded by two coders using Atlas-ti. Regarding types of app functions, main themes included: (1) the importance of having support in diabetes self-care; (2) using informal networks to help to each other; and (3) monitoring one another through an app. Suggested app features included reminders for and transportation to medical visits, sharing information and exercise companionship, and providing opportunities for monitoring by friends/family members, especially in case of emergencies. Participants viewed an app as a potential vehicle for reinforcing accomplishments in T2DM self-management. Future research should implement and test an app with these features in this or similar communities.
社交网络有可能增强 2 型糖尿病（T2DM）的自我管理。我们使用定性方法研究了在低收入非裔美国人社区中，利用移动应用程序（app）调动社会资源来改善 T2DM 管理的功能是否以及如何受到期望。数据是通过 2016 年至 2018 年期间的社区讨论和对 78 名参与者的深入访谈收集的。参与者包括自我报告患有前驱糖尿病、T2DM 的个体、T2DM 患者的近亲或朋友以及医疗保健提供者。开放性问题收集了有关 T2DM 管理挑战的信息，并收集了有关可解决这些问题的移动应用程序功能的想法。数据由两名编码员使用 Atlas-ti 进行转录和主题编码。关于应用程序功能的类型，主要主题包括：（1）在糖尿病自我护理中获得支持的重要性；（2）利用非正式网络互相帮助；（3）通过应用程序相互监督。建议的应用程序功能包括医疗访问的提醒和交通、信息共享和锻炼伙伴关系，以及为朋友/家人提供监测机会，特别是在紧急情况下。参与者认为应用程序是增强 T2DM 自我管理成就的潜在工具。未来的研究应该在这个或类似的社区中实施和测试具有这些功能的应用程序。
