Overview
Technology is revolutionizing the health and wellness industry, yet individuals with diabetes continue to encounter daily challenges. The growth of smartphones has led to a surge in health mobile apps, but these solutions often fail to meet the specific needs of diabetic individuals. Today, they keep facing difficulties in effectively monitoring their blood sugar levels and administering insulin injections.
Goal
Discover what issues diabetic users are currently facing and create a user-friendly system that helps both newly diagnosed and long-term patients understand how to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. This system should cover dietary recommendations and device monitoring, including guidelines for sugar intake at each meal.
The process
Problem Statement
About 8 million individuals are affected by type 1 diabetes, a condition in which the pancreas doesn't make sufficient insulin to control blood sugar levels. Interestingly, it's often diagnosed most commonly between the ages of 13 and 14.
Those dealing with this condition must adapt to a lifestyle involving regular sugar monitoring, insulin injections, and ongoing communication with their healthcare provider.
Qualitative research
I extensively researched by reading medical studies, university research, and investigations. I interviewed four diabetic individuals with diverse backgrounds. Additionally, I conducted a survey in collaboration with a local hospital, receiving 44 responses.
Findings
- There is insufficient support and ongoing follow-up to help individuals of this kind avoid feeling that their lives have changed too much.
- The progress in diabetes research and development over the past five years doesn't match up with some outdated methods still used.
- These individuals feel lost, frustrated, and confused because they're unsure how to handle their new routines.
Quantitative research
Based on the premise that type 1 diabetes is an incurable disease, I conducted extensive research, leading to the following conclusions:
80%
Of surveyed type 1 diabetics do not use any applications to monitor their blood glucose levels.
20-30
Decisions a day hast to make a type 1 diabetic. There is a lack of education in this field
1/3
Individuals with type 1 diabetes does not feel prepared for a severe hipoglycemia episode.
1,3 Mill.
Children and adolescents suffer from type 1 diabetes worldwide.
81%
Of type 1 diabetes patients follow a diet plan recommended by their endocrinologist.
Research Findings / Pain Points
- Current options were time-consuming and involved a lot of manual work. Automation could make things much easier.
- Information about completing tasks was scattered everywhere. It would be ideal to have everything in one place.
- Many users felt they lacked guidance on healthy eating.
- The model is still very analog, and to know what to buy or not in a supermarket, the endocrinologist provides a sheet with foods and their carbohydrate levels.
- The patient without an insulin pump fears forgetting to inject.
- The Big Data system doesn't store monitoring data in the cloud; if the phone breaks, data is lost.
- Some apps can't sync with activity trackers or smartwatches.
Benchmark analysis
Existing solution 1: Freestyle Libre Link 3
- Subsidized by Social Security
- Features a 14-day arm patch that remotely and automatically measures the patient’s blood glucose level
- Analog and non-integrated feeding routine
- Unfriendly and non-intuitive mobile app design.
- Lack of integration with other devices and/or systems.
Existing solution 2: MCG Dexcom G4
- Automatic and user-friendly applicator continuously measures glucose levels and transmits data to a display device via wireless transmitter.
- Compatible with iOS, Android, or smartwatch. Shares data with up to 10 individuals.
- Tested for ages 2 and pregnant individuals. Includes 3 sensors, each valid for 10 days of use.
- Siri integration included
User personas
DAFO Analysis
Strengths
- Implements a food guide.
- Incorporates a carbohydrate calculator.
- Improved personalized assistance.
- Enhanced proficiency.
Weaknesses
- Potential disapproval from health institutions.
- User resistance to exploring beyond Freestyle.
- Limited app training to encourage daily use.
Opportunities
- Heightened receptiveness to diabetic solutions.
- Advancing innovation for diabetes within the country.
- Achieving increased public R&D investment and commitment to tackling diabetes.
Threats
- Insufficient tech resources to surpass competitors.
- Favoring in-person consultations and prioritizing comprehensive nutritional education.
- Other EU nations and the US are significantly more advanced in this domain.
Wireframes
Main screens
