Introduction and Objectives: Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) is a recommended component of diabetes care. Despite proven benefits, patient engagement with DSMES needs improvement. The DM-BOOST program, based on principles of Self-Determination Theory and Behavioral Economics and co-designed with patients, was developed to increase patient engagement with DSMES. DM-BOOST included peer-written text messages and digital health training to improve patient portal and telehealth use. The purpose of this study is to explore the feasibility of implementing DM-BOOST in an established DSMES program and its impact on engagement and experiences among individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods: A feasibility pilot was conducted from November 2021-November 2022. Upon conclusion, semi-structured phone interviews were conducted with 36 individuals with T2D. The interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. An inductive thematic analysis was conducted by two independent coders using MAXQDA24 software. The data collection, analysis, and interpretation of findings were guided by the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT).

Results: Participants (n=36) were mean (SD) 45.9 (8.9) years old, 61% female, with a mean baseline HbA1c of 10.1% (1.8). The racial/ethnic distribution was 64.9% White, 11.1% Black, 5.6% Asian, 8.3% more than one race and 11.1% preferred not to answer (with 27.8% overall Hispanic/Latino). Four themes emerged: (1) empowering autonomy through accessible and personalized DSMES, (2) perceived transformative impact on self-management competency and health outcomes, (3) empathetic experience with diabetes educators and research team, and (4) timely, additional support that was coordinated with their care providers.

Conclusion: DM-BOOST was found to be feasible to implement and positively impacted patient engagement and experience with DSMES.

Disclosure

M. Boakye: None. L.L. Shenette: None. B.S. Gerber: None. D.J. Amante: None.

Funding

National Institutes of Health (KL2TR001455, K01DK131318)

© 2024 by the American Diabetes Association
2024
Readers may use this article as long as the work is properly cited, the use is educational and not for profit, and the work is not altered. More information is available at http://www.diabetesjournals.org/content/license.