Today mobile phones are fully integrated into daily life. As such, they can be used as tools by patients and healthcare providers to aid in the communication, retention, and utilization of health-related information. In diabetes management, there is potential for mobile apps to help manage outcomes by facilitating behavior change. However, many apps are didactic, not personalized, and do not provide actionable instruction. The purpose of this abstract is to describe a diabetes management application (app) design based on behavioral constructs.
A three phase approach to the app design included 1) literature review to identify relevant behavior change theories 2) app content and features development based on selected constructs and 3) testing of app content and features.
From the literature review, four theories were identified: Health Belief Theory, Social Cognitive Theory, Fogg Behavior Model and the Transtheoretical Model. Constructs were selected to build a framework for app design. Relevant content and features, as well as methods of delivery, were developed based on selected constructs with the objective of promoting positive behavior change and increasing engagement in diabetes management. As designed, the app creates a user experience that establishes a baseline for desired behavior change and facilitates change through the provision of curated content.
The translation of behavioral theories into the design of this mobile app hopes to empower users to adopt positive health behaviors and enable better self-management of diabetes. Future research will observe and evaluate whether this behavioral methodology leads to positive behavior change and improved diabetes management.