The effect of technology awareness education (TECAwEd) on willingness to use diabetes technologies: A quasi-experimental study

Objective

This study aimed to determine the effect of technology awareness education (TECAwEd) on willingness to use diabetes technologies in participants.

Methods

This study is a quasi-experimental study. A total of 185 individuals with diabetes participated in the study. Participants received face-to-face technology awareness education for approximately 45 min. During the education, participants were given a colourful brochure containing visuals of technological devices. The data were evaluated using McNemar chi-square analysis.

Results

There was a statistically significant difference in the want of participating in the study to use technological devices after technology awareness education (p < 0.001). While the rate of individuals who wanted to use an insulin pump before the education was 17.3%, it increased to 39.5% after the education. While the rate of those who wanted to use continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) was 20% before the education, it increased to 40% after the education. When the reasons why participants do not want to use technological devices are examined, it has been determined that the most common economic reasons stand out.

Conclusion

This study determined that technology awareness education increased participants’ desire to use devices. Technology awareness should be included in the main educational subject in diabetes education.