James R Humble1, Elizabeth A Tolley2, Rebecca A Krukowski2, Catherine R Womack3, Todd S Motley4, James E Bailey5. 1. Center for Health System Improvement, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA Department of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA. 2. Center for Health System Improvement, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN,USA. 3. Department of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN,USA. 4. Motley Internal Medicine Group, 1264 Wesley Dr. Suite 606, Memphis, TN 38116, USA. 5. Center for Health System Improvement, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA Department of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN,USA jeb@uthsc.edu.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess use of and interest in mobile health (mHealth) technology and in-person services for diabetes self-care in vulnerable populations. METHODS: We delivered a self-administered cross-sectional survey. Participants were recruited at two primary care practices (P1 and P2) with P1 located in a medically underserved area and P2 in an affluent suburb. Two-sample t-tests and chi-square tests were used with p < 0.05 significant. In addition, a secondary analysis was performed to analyse differences in use and interest in mHealth by age. RESULTS: Of 75 eligible patients, 60 completed the survey (80% response rate). P1 patients had significantly higher interest in three of five categories of in-person diabetes support services, one of four categories of health-related text messages (TM), and three of eight categories of mHealth applications (p < 0.05). Smartphone users reported higher interest in TM (p = 0.004) and mHealth applications for diabetes self-care (p = 0.004). Younger patients were more likely to have a smartphone (p < 0.006), use the Internet (p < 0.0012), use smartphone applications (p < 0.0004), and to be interested in using applications to manage their diabetes (p < 0.004). DISCUSSION: This study shows substantial patient interest in TM and mHealth applications for diabetes self-care and suggests that patients in underserved areas may have particularly high interest in using mHealth solutions in primary care. Younger patients and smartphone users were more likely to be interested in using applications to manage their diabetes. As more patients use smartphones, interest in using mHealth to support patient self-care and strengthen primary care infrastructure will continue to grow.
OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess use of and interest in mobile health (mHealth) technology and in-person services for diabetes self-care in vulnerable populations. METHODS: We delivered a self-administered cross-sectional survey. Participants were recruited at two primary care practices (P1 and P2) with P1 located in a medically underserved area and P2 in an affluent suburb. Two-sample t-tests and chi-square tests were used with p < 0.05 significant. In addition, a secondary analysis was performed to analyse differences in use and interest in mHealth by age. RESULTS: Of 75 eligible patients, 60 completed the survey (80% response rate). P1 patients had significantly higher interest in three of five categories of in-persondiabetes support services, one of four categories of health-related text messages (TM), and three of eight categories of mHealth applications (p < 0.05). Smartphone users reported higher interest in TM (p = 0.004) and mHealth applications for diabetes self-care (p = 0.004). Younger patients were more likely to have a smartphone (p < 0.006), use the Internet (p < 0.0012), use smartphone applications (p < 0.0004), and to be interested in using applications to manage their diabetes (p < 0.004). DISCUSSION: This study shows substantial patient interest in TM and mHealth applications for diabetes self-care and suggests that patients in underserved areas may have particularly high interest in using mHealth solutions in primary care. Younger patients and smartphone users were more likely to be interested in using applications to manage their diabetes. As more patients use smartphones, interest in using mHealth to support patient self-care and strengthen primary care infrastructure will continue to grow.
Authors: Urmimala Sarkar; Gato I Gourley; Courtney R Lyles; Lina Tieu; Cassidy Clarity; Lisa Newmark; Karandeep Singh; David W Bates Journal: J Gen Intern Med Date: 2016-07-14 Impact factor: 5.128
Authors: Bianca M Jackson; Mary Lou Gutierrez; George E Relyea; Erik L Carlton; SangNam Ahn; Bonnie L Binkley; James E Bailey Journal: Health Serv Res Manag Epidemiol Date: 2017-05-11