Diabetes app design aims to improve self-management

The designer behind an award-winning diabetes app design says the impact the condition has had on her family was her inspiration.

The Dap’n’ app design by Reina Yaidoo and her team was chosen as the winner of a national competition for its high ratings and praise from peer reviewers, with moves underway to turn it into reality.

Reina Yaidoo

The app design covers self-management, education, diet, exercise, medication and psychology.

It was one of five final designs entered in The Health App Challenge project organised by Plymouth University, funded by the Intellectual Property Office Fast Forward Competition 2014 and supported by Diabetes UK, WLSinfo, Handi, and Britain’s Nurses.

Reina – who runs a social enterprise called Bassa Jamba, which promotes access to science and technology – said: “I don’t have diabetes but I have been surrounded by people who have it because a lot of my family have diabetes. My uncle past away from it, my other uncle has had a foot amputation and my grandmother in the States died from diabetes. So it has meant that I know a lot about diabetes even though don’t have it.

“There are many reasons and factors surrounding why people stop taking medication. For the most part not taking medication can be seen as a symptom of larger problems within self management ie motivation, not understanding the disease etc. Alerts and reminders to take the medication are the response taken by most apps .

“This though will not help if you are lacking in motivation or otherwise. Especially for a long-term condition like diabetes what is needed is a more co-ordinated response that takes into account what the underlying problem and concern at the time and relays it to the right person within the diabetics network.”

Since winning the challenge, the has gained much interest and is currently shortlisted for funding support, to turn their design into a published health app, in two national programmes – Nominet Trust’s Social Tech Seed and Virgin’s Pitch to Rich.

People with diabetes gave over 140 reviews of the challenge designs and existing health apps, including bariatric apps. To view the designs and reviews, visit www.healthappchallenge.org.uk.

An online community area is now being created to support discussion and networking between people interested in health app development, including people with the condition, developers and healthcare professionals. It will enable the potential for collaboration and further support for Challenge participants in turning their designs into working apps.”

Views are also being sought on the project and on health app development in a three-question survey. To take part, click here.

The Health App Challenge was a one-year project that supported people with diabetes to design and, or, develop their very own health apps to help manage their condition. Participants were offered advice from intellectual property experts, technical developers and medical professionals.

It funded by the Intellectual Property Office Fast Forward Competition 2014 and also supported by WLSinfo, Handi, and Britain’s Nurses.

A booklet about the project has been published, click here to view it.

People interested in the online community area, should email emily.ashurst@plymouth.ac.uk.

Reina is looking for feedback and sponsorship, to get in touch email reina@bassajamba.co.uk.