Significance and application potential of health apps in diabetological care - Results of a survey study

Abstract

Background With a view to type 2 diabetes mellitus as a lifestyle-induced disease, a great potential benefit is seen in health apps that are intended to help with prevention and monitoring or therapy. The aim of the study is to exploratively illuminate the application horizon, the acceptance and attitudes as well as the experiences of doctors from practices specializing in diabetes with regard to the potential use of health apps for diagnosis, therapy and prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods Based on several preliminary studies, a total of 291 doctors from specialist diabetology practices in Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse, Thuringia and Saarland were interviewed anonymously by means of a written survey between March and May 2021. The response rate is 30% (N=88). In addition to the descriptive analysis, a t-test was performed with independent samples. Results Respondents associate the use of apps with an effective strengthening of empowerment, motivation and compliance, but also with reminder and lifestyle-supporting functions so that prevention and disease management of type 2 diabetes patients can be made more effective. In particular, younger doctors in urban practice environments have a positive attitude towards health apps and use such tools in everyday practice. The respondents are skeptical about the user-friendliness and data security of existing apps, as well as with regard to legal issues. A majority admits that they do not have a sufficient overview of diabetological apps and only have limited confidence in advising patients. The vast majority of those doctors who have already used apps in care observe positive effects in terms of increasing compliance, detecting or reducing complications more quickly, reducing weight and reducing the HbA1c value. Discussion Despite the positive effects that health apps can have on prevention and therapy, many doctors from specialist diabetology practices have reservations regarding the manageability, transparency and security of apps. These concerns should be addressed in order to create the prerequisites for the successful integration of health apps into diabetological care (such as data protection and quality standards, clear legal situation with regard to the use of apps by physicians, further education, tools for overview and classification).