Development and evaluation of a regional diabetes service App for patient education, self-management and clinic engagement

Background: We created a free NHS App to deliver all patient information on type 1 diabetes to help promote self-management. This became an invaluable way of getting information to patients during the pandemic when all face-to-face clinics were suspended. The aim of this study is to investigate patient perceptions of the App. Methods: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was designed by the diabetes team to obtain quantitative data. Results: The mean score of patient accessibility to diabetes information and services before using the App was 5.1, and after using the App was 8.8 (p < 0.001). Among the patients, 91% would recommend the App, 57.2% agree the App helps them schedule and attend their screening appointments and 73.7% agree the App has improved their self-management of type 1 diabetes. Conclusion: Patients agree the App has improved accessibility to diabetes information and services and has helped with self-management of their condition. Patients are likely to recommend the App to friends and family who have diabetes.