Diabetic’s patient perspectives about barriers to using digital health technology : A qualitative systematic review
Abstract
Management of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) requires great efforts to control the glycemic index, prevent complications, and reduce morbidity and mortality. Digital health technology (DHT) is proven to be able to increase the glycemic control index in DM patients. But on the other hand, there are obstacles from the patient's point of view that must be reduced in the further development of DHT. This systematic literature review study aims to identify barriers to the use of DHT from the point of view of DM patients. This study uses four journal databases, namely Sage, Pubmed, Cochrane, and Scient Direct using certain keywords in 2012-2022. Screening of articles using the PRISMA flowchart by setting inclusion and exclusion criteria. Assessment of study quality uses the Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) checklist and performs thematic synthesis. This study found 11 articles that met the inclusion criteria. The quality of the articles was analyzed using CASP, it was found that all the articles used were in the medium-quality category. The results of data extraction and theme synthesis resulted in 13 themes related to obstacles to the use of digital health technology in DM patients, including incomplete physical examination; limitations of the patient-provider relationship; limited individual knowledge about the disease; limited individual knowledge and technological literacy; lack of access to digital technology infrastructure; additional costs that need to be incurred for access; health care data security and patient privacy; feel the content is irrelevant to some users; lack of time; vision limitations; language restrictions; technical issues related to poor app design and system failures; and logistical challenges.
References
Blondon, K., Klasnja, P., Coleman, K., & Pratt, W. (2014). An exploration of attitudes toward the use of patient incentives to support diabetes self-management. Psychology & Health, 29(5), 552–563. https://doi.org/10.1080/08870446.2013.867346
Brzan, P. P., Rotman, E., Pajnkihar, M., & Klanjsek, P. (2016). Mobile Applications for Control and Self Management of Diabetes: A Systematic Review. Journal of Medical Systems, 40(9), 210. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10916-016-0564-8
DeSouza, S. I., Rashmi, M. R., Vasanthi, A. P., Joseph, S. M., & Rodrigues, R. (2014). Mobile Phones: The Next Step towards Healthcare Delivery in Rural India? PLoS ONE, 9(8), e104895. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0104895
Desveaux, L., Shaw, J., Saragosa, M., Soobiah, C., Marani, H., Hensel, J., Agarwal, P., Onabajo, N., Bhatia, R. S., & Jeffs, L. (2018). A Mobile App to Improve Self-Management of Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes: Qualitative Realist Evaluation. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 20(3), e81. https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.8712
El-Gayar, O., Timsina, P., Nawar, N., & Eid, W. (2013). Mobile Applications for Diabetes Self-Management: Status and Potential. Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology, 7(1), 247–262. https://doi.org/10.1177/193229681300700130
Elwyn, G., Kreuwel, I., Durand, M. A., Sivell, S., Joseph-Williams, N., Evans, R., & Edwards, A. (2011). How to develop web-based decision support interventions for patients: A process map. Patient Education and Counseling, 82(2), 260–265. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2010.04.034
Franklin, V. L., Waller, A., Pagliari, C., & Greene, S. A. (2006). A randomized controlled trial of Sweet Talk, a text-messaging system to support young people with diabetes. Diabetic Medicine, 23(12), 1332–1338. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1464-5491.2006.01989.x
George, S. M., Hayes, E. M., Fish, A., Daskivich, L. P., & Ogunyemi, O. I. (2016). Understanding the Knowledge Gap Experienced by U.S. Safety Net Patients in Teleretinal Screening. AMIA ... Annual Symposium Proceedings. AMIA Symposium, 2016, 590–599. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28269855
Gordon, H. S., Solanki, P., Bokhour, B. G., & Gopal, R. K. (2020). “I’m Not Feeling Like I’m Part of the Conversation” Patients’ Perspectives on Communicating in Clinical Video Telehealth Visits. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 35(6), 1751–1758. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-020-05673-w
Holden, R. J., & Karsh, B.-T. (2010). The Technology Acceptance Model: Its past and its future in health care. Journal of Biomedical Informatics, 43(1), 159–172. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbi.2009.07.002
Hou, C., Carter, B., Hewitt, J., Francisa, T., & Mayor, S. (2016). Do Mobile Phone Applications Improve Glycemic Control (HbA1c) in the Self-management of Diabetes? A Systematic Review, Meta-analysis, and GRADE of 14 Randomized Trials. Diabetes Care, 39(11), 2089–2095. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc16-0346
Jeffrey, B., Bagala, M., Creighton, A., Leavey, T., Nicholls, S., Wood, C., Longman, J., Barker, J., & Pit, S. (2019). Mobile phone applications and their use in the self-management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: a qualitative study among app users and non-app users. Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome, 11(1), 84. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13098-019-0480-4
Kim, J., & Park, H.-A. (2012). Development of a Health Information Technology Acceptance Model Using Consumers’ Health Behavior Intention. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 14(5), e133. https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.2143
Lee, J. Y., Chan, C. K. Y., Chua, S. S., Paraidathathu, T., Lee, K. K. C., Tan, C. S. S., Nasir, N., & Lee, S. W. H. (2019). Using telemedicine to support care for people with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A qualitative analysis of patients’ perspectives. BMJ Open, 9(10), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2018-026575
Lee, J. Y., Lee, S. W. H., Nasir, N. H., How, S., Tan, C. S. S., & Wong, C. P. (2015). Diabetes telemonitoring reduces the risk of hypoglycemia during Ramadan: a pilot randomized controlled study. Diabetic Medicine, 32(12), 1658–1661. https://doi.org/10.1111/dme.12836
Lee, J. Y., Wong, C. P., Tan, C. S. S., Nasir, N. H., & Lee, S. W. H. (2017). Telemonitoring in fasting individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus during Ramadan: A prospective, randomised controlled study. Scientific Reports, 7(1), 10119. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-10564-y
Lee, S. W. H., Lee, J. Y., Tan, C. S. S., & Wong, C. P. (2016). Strategies to Make Ramadan Fasting Safer in Type 2 Diabetics. Medicine, 95(2), e2457. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000002457
Liang, X., Wang, Q., Yang, X., Cao, J., Chen, J., Mo, X., Huang, J., Wang, L., & Gu, D. (2011). Effect of mobile phone intervention for diabetes on glycaemic control: a meta-analysis. Diabetic Medicine, 28(4), 455–463. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1464-5491.2010.03180.x
Lie, S. S., Karlsen, B., Oord, E. R., Graue, M., & Oftedal, B. (2017). Dropout From an eHealth Intervention for Adults With Type 2 Diabetes: A Qualitative Study. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 19(5), e187. https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.7479
Liu, Y., Zupan, N. J., Swearingen, R., Jacobson, N., Carlson, J. N., Mahoney, J. E., Klein, R., Bjelland, T. D., & Smith, M. A. (2019). Identification of barriers, facilitators and system-based implementation strategies to increase teleophthalmology use for diabetic eye screening in a rural US primary care clinic: a qualitative study. BMJ Open, 9(2), e022594. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2018-022594
Mellergård, E., Johnsson, P., & Eek, F. (2021). Developing a web-based support using self-affirmation to motivate lifestyle changes in type 2 diabetes: A qualitative study assessing patient perspectives on self-management and views on a digital lifestyle intervention. Internet Interventions, 24, 100384. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.invent.2021.100384
Moody, L., Wood, E., Needham, A., Booth, A., Jimenez-Aranda, A., & Tindale, W. (2022). Identifying individual enablers and barriers to the use of digital technology for the self-management of long-term conditions by older adults. Journal of Medical Engineering & Technology, 46(6), 448–461. https://doi.org/10.1080/03091902.2022.2089249
Muñoz, R. F. (2010). Using Evidence-Based Internet Interventions to Reduce Health Disparities Worldwide. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 12(5), e60. https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.1463
Murray, E., Burns, J., See Tai, S., Lai, R., & Nazareth, I. (2005). Interactive Health Communication Applications for people with chronic disease. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD004274.pub4
Murray, E., Hekler, E. B., Andersson, G., Collins, L. M., Doherty, A., Hollis, C., Rivera, D. E., West, R., & Wyatt, J. C. (2016). Evaluating Digital Health Interventions. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 51(5), 843–851. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2016.06.008
Ogurtsova, K., da Rocha Fernandes, J. D., Huang, Y., Linnenkamp, U., Guariguata, L., Cho, N. H., Cavan, D., Shaw, J. E., & Makaroff, L. E. (2017). IDF Diabetes Atlas: Global estimates for the prevalence of diabetes for 2015 and 2040. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, 128, 40–50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diabres.2017.03.024
Pamungkas, R., & Chamroonsawasdi, K. (2019). HbA1c reduction and weight-loss outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of community-based intervention trials among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. International Journal of Diabetes in Developing Countries, 39, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13410-018-0708-0
Poduval, S., Ross, J., Pal, K., Newhouse, N., Hamilton, F., & Murray, E. (2022). Web-Based Structured Education for Type 2 Diabetes: Interdisciplinary User-Centered Design Approach. JMIR Human Factors, 9(1), e31567. https://doi.org/10.2196/31567
Rogers, E., Aidasani, S. R., Friedes, R., Hu, L., Langford, A. T., Moloney, D. N., Orzeck-Byrnes, N., Sevick, M. A., & Levy, N. (2019). Barriers and Facilitators to the Implementation of a Mobile Insulin Titration Intervention for Patients With Uncontrolled Diabetes: A Qualitative Analysis. JMIR MHealth and UHealth, 7(7), e13906. https://doi.org/10.2196/13906
Scheibe, M., Reichelt, J., Bellmann, M., & Kirch, W. (2015). Acceptance Factors of Mobile Apps for Diabetes by Patients Aged 50 or Older: A Qualitative Study. Medicine 2.0, 4(1), e1. https://doi.org/10.2196/med20.3912
Shan, R., Sarkar, S., & Martin, S. S. (2019). Digital health technology and mobile devices for the management of diabetes mellitus: state of the art. Diabetologia, 62(6), 877–887. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00125-019-4864-7
Singh, A., Donnino, R., Weintraub, H., & Schwartzbard, A. (2013). Effect of Strict Glycemic Control in Patients With Diabetes Mellitus on Frequency of Macrovascular Events. The American Journal of Cardiology, 112(7), 1033–1038. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjcard.2013.05.044
Steinman, L., Heang, H., van Pelt, M., Ide, N., Cui, H., Rao, M., LoGerfo, J., & Fitzpatrick, A. (2020). Facilitators and Barriers to Chronic Disease Self-Management and Mobile Health Interventions for People Living With Diabetes and Hypertension in Cambodia: Qualitative Study. JMIR MHealth and UHealth, 8(4), e13536. https://doi.org/10.2196/13536
Stratton, I. M., Adler, A. I., Neil, H. A., Matthews, D. R., Manley, S. E., Cull, C. A., Hadden, D., Turner, R. C., & Holman, R. R. (2000). Association of glycaemia with macrovascular and microvascular complications of type 2 diabetes (UKPDS 35): prospective observational study. BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.), 321(7258), 405–412. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.321.7258.405
Torbjørnsen, A., Ribu, L., Rønnevig, M., Grøttland, A., & Helseth, S. (2019). Users’ acceptability of a mobile application for persons with type 2 diabetes: a qualitative study. BMC Health Services Research, 19(1), 641. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-019-4486-2
Turnbull, S., Lucas, P. J., Hay, A. D., & Cabral, C. (2021). The role of economic, educational and social resources in supporting the use of digital health technologies by people with T2D: a qualitative study. BMC Public Health, 21(1), 293. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-10325-7
Widmer, R. J., Collins, N. M., Collins, C. S., West, C. P., Lerman, L. O., & Lerman, A. (2015). Digital Health Interventions for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 90(4), 469–480. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mayocp.2014.12.026
Wroth, T. H., & Pathman, D. E. (2006). Primary Medication Adherence in a Rural Population: The Role of the Patient-Physician Relationship and Satisfaction with Care. The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, 19(5), 478 LP – 486. https://doi.org/10.3122/jabfm.19.5.478
Wu, I. X. Y., Kee, J. C. Y., Threapleton, D. E., Ma, R. C. W., Lam, V. C. K., Lee, E. K. P., Wong, S. Y. S., & Chung, V. C. H. (2018). Effectiveness of smartphone technologies on glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes: systematic review with meta-analysis of 17 trials. Obesity Reviews, 19(6), 825–838. https://doi.org/10.1111/obr.12669