Diabetes Self-Management Tools: A Literature Review on the current challenges
Disciplines
Other Operations Research, Systems Engineering and Industrial Engineering
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Diabetes self-management is crucial for maintaining blood glucose levels and preventing complications. While both digital and traditional self-management tools are available, many patients continue to face challenges with usability, accessibility, and consistency, limiting their effectiveness. This study focuses on older patients, aiming to identify gaps in these tools to improve health outcomes. The literature review aims to answer the following questions: a) What technological advancements have been integrated into diabetes self-management (e.g., mobile apps, continuous glucose monitoring, AI-driven decision support)? b) What are the current gaps regarding the effectiveness of different self-management strategies? c) How effective are digital tools and telehealth interventions in improving diabetes self-management outcomes? and d) What are the barriers or facilitators to adopting new technologies for diabetes self-management among older adults?. The literature review followed the PRISMA methodology. Relevant studies on diabetes self-management tools were sourced from ProQuest, with a focus on articles evaluating their effectiveness. The selected articles were chosen based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria and their availability to answer our research questions. Initially, the search returned 720 results. Applying filters gradually reduced this number until 29 relevant studies were identified. Upon further analysis, several key gaps were found in diabetes management tools. Older adults and individuals with low technological literacy often struggle with these digital tools. Many apps do not integrate with healthcare providers. Few apps address the stress and emotional challenges of managing diabetes and only a few offers comprehensive lifestyle management. There were also a lot of complaints about confusing features on the mobile apps. Lastly, privacy concerns are not well addressed, and some tools are difficult to access due to high costs. By addressing these challenges, the study aims to provide valuable information to make these tools more user-friendly, accessible, and effective, ultimately leading to better health outcomes.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
SPCEET - Industrial and Systems Engineering
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Luisa Valentina Nino de Valladares
Diabetes Self-Management Tools: A Literature Review on the current challenges
Diabetes self-management is crucial for maintaining blood glucose levels and preventing complications. While both digital and traditional self-management tools are available, many patients continue to face challenges with usability, accessibility, and consistency, limiting their effectiveness. This study focuses on older patients, aiming to identify gaps in these tools to improve health outcomes. The literature review aims to answer the following questions: a) What technological advancements have been integrated into diabetes self-management (e.g., mobile apps, continuous glucose monitoring, AI-driven decision support)? b) What are the current gaps regarding the effectiveness of different self-management strategies? c) How effective are digital tools and telehealth interventions in improving diabetes self-management outcomes? and d) What are the barriers or facilitators to adopting new technologies for diabetes self-management among older adults?. The literature review followed the PRISMA methodology. Relevant studies on diabetes self-management tools were sourced from ProQuest, with a focus on articles evaluating their effectiveness. The selected articles were chosen based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria and their availability to answer our research questions. Initially, the search returned 720 results. Applying filters gradually reduced this number until 29 relevant studies were identified. Upon further analysis, several key gaps were found in diabetes management tools. Older adults and individuals with low technological literacy often struggle with these digital tools. Many apps do not integrate with healthcare providers. Few apps address the stress and emotional challenges of managing diabetes and only a few offers comprehensive lifestyle management. There were also a lot of complaints about confusing features on the mobile apps. Lastly, privacy concerns are not well addressed, and some tools are difficult to access due to high costs. By addressing these challenges, the study aims to provide valuable information to make these tools more user-friendly, accessible, and effective, ultimately leading to better health outcomes.