Patients’ and Health Care Professionals’ Perceptions of the Potential of Using the Digital Diabetes Questionnaire to Prepare for Diabetes Care Meetings: Qualitative Focus Group Interview Study

Abstract

Background

In effective diabetes management, it is important that providers and health care systems prioritize the delivery of patient-centered care and that they are respectful of and responsive to individual patient preferences and barriers.

Objective

The objective of the study was to conduct focus group interviews to capture patients’ and health care professionals’ perceptions and attitudes regarding digital technology and to explore how the digital Diabetes Questionnaire can be used to support patient participation in diabetes care, as a basis for an implementation study.

Methods

A qualitative study was conducted with six focus group discussions with diabetes specialist nurses and medical doctors (n=29) and four focus group discussions with individuals with diabetes (n=23). A semistructured focus group interview guide was developed, including probing questions. The data were transcribed verbatim, and qualitative content analysis was performed using an inductive approach.

Results

Two main categories were revealed by the qualitative analysis: perceptions of digital technology and the digital questionnaire in diabetes management and care and perceptions of participation in diabetes care. An overarching theme that emerged from the focus group interviews was patients’ and professionals’ involvement in diabetes care using digital tools.

Conclusions

The analysis identified important factors to consider when introducing the digital Diabetes Questionnaire in clinical use. Both professionals and patients need support and training in the practical implementation of the digital questionnaire, as well as the opportunity to provide feedback on the questionnaire answers.