“My Friend Diabetes Carbohydrate-Bolus Calculator”: User Experiences of a Bolus Calculating Carbohydrate Counting Mobile App for People with Type 1 Diabetes

Abstract

Objective: Meal management in Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) has barriers such as miscalculation of doses, insufficient carbohydrate counting and numeracy skills. “My Friend Diabetes Carbohydrate Bolus Calculator” mobile app was developed as a hybrid version of nutrition apps and insulin titration apps to calculate meal’s carbs and the matching bolus dose. This study investigates facilitator role of the app on lives of people with T1D. Materials and methods: People with T1D or their caregivers were recruited from children diabetes foundation social media accounts, and they answered an online survey which examines the effects of the app on carbohydrate counting, diabetes management, and the usability of the app with 17 Likert-type questions (5-point). Descriptive and non-parametric tests were performed to analyze responses. Results: Of the 165 people who completed the survey, 58 (35.2%) had T1D, 107 (64.8%) had relatives with T1D; 87 (52.7%) participants were female, the mean age was 13.1 ± 8.9 years, and the mean duration of diabetes was 4.72 years. Of the participants, 130 used the app and agreed that the app improved the users’ meal management, diabetes management, carbohydrate, and dose calculations (Mean score = 4.38 ± 0.57). They were more confident in the dose calculation, freer in the food choices, and more confident in diabetes care because of the app (Mean score = 4.46 ± 0.57). Conclusions: ‘’My Friend Diabetes Carbohydrate-Bolus Calculator’’ mobile app improved T1D management. Diabetes teams can reach more people through mobile apps and improve their clinical outcomes.