Tailoring Educational Content for T2DM Patients: A Qualitative Study on Preferences for Interactive Multimedia Applications.

Abstract

Background: The development of interactive multimedia-based applications has become increasingly important in providing effective health education to Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) patients. Understanding the educational content required for such applications from local patients' perspectives is crucial for designing a user-friendly and impactful tool for T2DM management.

Objective: This study aims to investigate patients' views and preferences on the educational content and features of an interactive multimedia-based application for T2DM patients.

Methodology: Semi-structured qualitative interviews were carried out with a sample of T2DM outpatients (n = 16) at a tertiary referral university hospital in Kuala Lumpur between October 2022 and January 2023. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and subjected to thematic analysis.

Result: The majority of participants had been diagnosed with T2DM for less than ten years. The thematic analysis identified several key aspects related to the educational content required for development of a multimedia-based application. These include preference for educational materials, essential contents and interactive features. The participants also proposed a discussion area within such applications that would allow them to communicate and receive immediate advice from healthcare professionals, thus eliminating the need for frequent hospital visits.

Conclusion: The findings of this study highlight the significance of interactive multimedia-based applications in providing health education for T2DM patients. The identified essential content areas from the patients' perspectives can inform the development of effective tailored educational materials for patient's benefit.