mHealth perceived as useful in treating gestational diabetes
Mobile health (mHealth) applications are seen as useful tools by physicians treating women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), according to a study published May in JMIR mHealth and uHealth.
With GDM rates increasing, clinicians are searching for an easy route in providing information about the management of the disease to patients. mHealth could provide the tools necessary in controlling blood sugar and improving quality of care. In this study, researchers examined healthcare professionals’ experiences and attitudes toward utilizing mHealth for women with GDM.
“The increasing prevalence of GDM provides new challenges for health care professionals in antenatal care,” wrote first author Lisa Garnweidner-Holme, PhD, and colleagues. “Therefore, it is of utmost importance that health care professionals provide women with sufficient information on the importance of controlling their blood sugar levels and the possible consequences in terms of future health.”
Researchers from the Institute for Nursing and Health Promotion in Oslo conducted interviews of nine healthcare professionals who cared for women with GDM.
Results showed healthcare professionals viewed mHealth as beneficial. Advantages of using the mHealth app included access to information at home, data perceived as trustworthy by healthcare professionals, cultural sensitivity of the app and convenience in registering blood sugar levels. Technical problems with the automatic transfer of blood glucose measurements were noted as the main barrier.
“The findings of this study suggest that mHealth is a useful tool to enhance the care provided by health care professionals to women with GDM,” wrote Garnweidner-Holme and colleagues. “Future mobile apps for the management of GDM should be developed by a trustworthy source and in cooperation with health care professionals. They should also be culture sensitive and should not exhibit technical problems.”
Cara joined TriMed Media in 2016 and is currently a Senior Writer for Clinical Innovation & Technology. Originating from Detroit, Michigan, she holds a Bachelors in Health Communications from Grand Valley State University.