Exploring desired features of mobile health apps for patients with diabetes to enhance engagement and self-management : qualitative study

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic condition requiring effective self-management to maintain glycemic control and prevent complications. Mobile health (mHealth) apps offer potential solutions by providing real-time monitoring, personalized feedback, and educational resources. However, their long-term adoption is hindered by a lack of user involvement in the development process and insufficient cultural adaptation. This study aims to explore the perspectives of patients with DM in Hong Kong on the functionalities and features of mHealth apps, highlighting the importance of tailoring these apps to meet local cultural needs. Objective: The objective of this study is to understand the views of patients with DM on the development of mHealth apps and the demand for app functions in order to provide a basis for the development of DM prevention apps. Methods: This descriptive qualitative study conducted semi-structured interviews with 10 patients with DM attending a District Health Centre in Hong Kong in May 2024, using a purposive sampling strategy. The transcribed data were analyzed by the inductive content analytical method, and themes were extracted with the aid of NVivo (version 15.0; QSR International) software. Results: In total, 7 key themes were identified: accurate information resources, automatic tracking and monitoring of health metrics, reminders, personalized customization options, intuitive usability, efficient data-sharing capabilities, and interactive design. Additionally, the study emphasizes the importance of cultural adaptation and the potential of artificial intelligence–enabled mHealth apps to enhance personalized information delivery. Ensuring the credibility and professionalism of information sources is also essential. Conclusions: The results provide valuable insights for enhancing the self-management capabilities of patients with DM and inform the future development of mHealth apps focused on DM prevention.