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Simplifying T1D management
DailyDose is a diabetes management app designed with the Jacobs Lab at OHSU. It was created to help people with Type 1 Diabetes easily monitor their condition and feel in control of their health.
Client
Artificial Intelligence for Medical Systems (AIMS) Lab & the Harold Schnitzer Diabetes Health Center at OHSU
In Collaboration With
eHealth Innovation at UHN
Funded by
The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust
Services
Environmental Scans, UX/UI Design, Usability Testing
Challenge
Of the 34.2 million Americans living with diabetes, nearly 1.6 million have Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). The complexity of T1D management is burdensome, as it requires people to inject insulin multiple times a day or use an insulin pump, monitor their blood sugar levels, and work hard to maintain a healthy lifestyle and diet. Achieving balance can be difficult, which inspired the Artificial Intelligence for Medical Systems (AIMS) Lab and the Harold Schnitzer Diabetes Health Center at the Oregon Health and Sciences University (OHSU) to develop a technology that could transform the day-to-day experience of those living with the condition — a mobile application known as DailyDose.
Healthcare Human Factors was approached by the teams at OHSU to research the current-state T1D patient experience, reimagining it through the lens of DailyDose. The primary goal of this work was to design a user-centred smartphone application that would simplify T1D management and allow users to feel in control of their health.
Process
DISCOVERY
We began by researching the lived experiences of those with T1D, their needs, and the opportunities that existed for an app that would uniquely and powerfully help them to manage their condition. We conducted user research, which involved an experience scan of a broad group of individuals living with T1D, the formulation of personas and research narratives, and the creation of a formalized value proposition for DailyDose.
The following insights emerged from the experience scan, and served as design probes for the next stage of our process:
What we discovered
T1D is a full-time job
It is something you don’t necessarily want to do, but have to do as a survival imperative.
Not ashamed, but discreet
Many people openly speak about their diabetes with others, but do not publicly announce it. Taking a blood glucose reading or taking their insulin is not a public event.
I’m in control, until I’m not
It’s clear that diabetes has a life of its own sometimes. This can have psychological and social effects.
My disease, my life, my way
While all management strategies include glucose readings and insulin, the interplay of lifestyle, technology, and individual preference impact how individuals manage their T1D.
DESIGN
AND PROTOTYPING
Our research insights guided the design of DailyDose, as we set out to create a seamless user experience.
We were guided by the following design principles:
- Low Effort – Time in app is low (between 1 – 3 minutes)
- Does not increase anxiety – Art direction, alerts and notifications are handled delicately when possible
- Friendly and Trustworthy – Art direction is professional, health data is accurate
- Personalized – Use is personal. Assigning alerts and curating their experience helps the user to feel in control
- Support when I need it – Technical support is easy to find and helpful when needed.
Usability Testing
Validating the design on those who have lived experience with T1D was crucial in order to design an app that would truly respond to their needs and experiences. We set up the simulation labs at HHF to resemble the conditions of a home environment and conducted two-hour formative usability evaluations with five participants, each a current pump user who has lived with T1D for over five years.
Smart Bolus Calculator
Taking the guesswork out of diabetes management is crucial, so we developed a sophisticated and customizable bolus calculator to help users determine the optimal dosage of insulin. The calculation is based on the user’s blood glucose level along with factors including reported meals and planned exercise.
Insights & Trends
Clear trend visualizations allow users to recognize patterns in their behaviour that could result in negative health outcomes. Tailored insights help them understand these trends and take control of their diabetes management.
Alerts & Notifications
Users receive notifications for critical alerts along with personalized treatment recommendations. This helps them to easily monitor their condition and respond quickly to changes in their health status.
Outcomes
After final refinements were made, the high fidelity prototype was delivered alongside all visual assets and documentation with specifications for development. The app was then evaluated in a randomized controlled trial which showed that people who followed more of the app’s recommendations saw greater improvements in their glucose management and improved health outcomes. In 2022, we built on the core features of the app based on the data we had gained from the trial while designing a comprehensive clinician dashboard to support a patient-centred model of care.