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Diabetes Congress 2019
Journal of Diabetology | Volume 3
Page 23
June 24-25, 2019 | Philadelphia, USA
DIABETES, ENDOCRINOLOGY, NUTRITION
AND NURSING MANAGEMENT
2
nd
International Conference on
OF EXCELLENCE
IN INTERNATIONAL
MEETINGS
alliedacademies.comYEARS
USE OF ACTIVITY TRACKERS TO PROMOTE BEHAVIOR CHANGE AND DELAY DIABETES
Stephanie Merck
University of Phoenix, USA
T
he purpose of this qualitative, explanatory case study was to explain the experiences of eight participants,
from a suburban internal medicine practice in Fairfield County, CT, who used activity trackers or applica-
tions to adhere to diet and exercise. Each participant submitted daily email logs, information from their activity
tracker or application and participated in an exit interview. Detailed information described how the participant
used technology as well as what each participant found most important to maintain lifestyle changes. The use
of NVivo 11® assisted with data analysis to identify common themes that emerged including accountability,
awareness, challenges and knowledge. The information obtained offered a unique perspective into how they
viewed their responsibility to participate in their treatment plan. The use of technology assisted the partici-
pants to become actively involved in their disease management and development of new skills and strategies
to support their self-management skills. Additionally, each participant described difficulties adhering to the
lifestyle changes within their daily lives. Most of the management of any chronic condition occurs outside of a
health care facility, understanding the challenges and problems encountered by those with pre-diabetes, may
assist providers to develop collaborative goals with their patients. Primary care providers, who understand the
daily struggles of those pre-diabetics, can offer realistic strategies for an individual to develop the necessary
self-management skills to prevent diabetes.
J Diabetol 2019, Volume 3