Digital Health Tools and Behavioral Strategies to Increase Engagement With Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support: Design and Feasibility of DM-BOOST.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to describe the development and feasibility of implementing the DM-BOOST program in support of an established diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) program.

Methods: A patient panel of 4 adults with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) codesigned DM-BOOST. DM-BOOST is a patient-focused program that includes peer-written text messages about diabetes self-management behaviors and digital health training to improve patient portal use and initiate goal setting prior to a scheduled DSMES appointment. Adults with T2DM and A1C ≥8.0% participated in a 6-month feasibility pilot. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either DM-BOOST or usual care. Outcomes included DSMES engagement (scheduled and attended DSMES appointments) and changes in diabetes self-efficacy and treatment satisfaction.

Results: Pilot participants (n = 60) were 60.0% female with mean age 45.5 years (SD 8.3) and A1C 10.1% (SD 1.8%). All DM-BOOST participants (30/30, 100%) had DSMES appointments scheduled compared to 86.7% of usual care (26/30). DM-BOOST participants had fewer DSMES appointment no-shows/cancellations (3/30, 10%) compared to usual care (10/26, 35%). There was greater improvement in diabetes self-efficacy in the DM-BOOST group compared to usual care and no difference in treatment satisfaction.

Conclusions: DM-BOOST, leveraging peer-written text messaging and digital health training, increased DSMES engagement. Implementation of DM-BOOST was determined to be feasible, with several system-level barriers identified, including obtaining provider referrals and scheduling appointments. An effectiveness trial of DM-BOOST is needed to evaluate the impact on clinical outcomes.