The readiness to use quantified self-technology: A case of diabetic patients from a hospital in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

TL;DR

This study explores why diabetic patients in Zimbabwe are or aren't ready to use self-monitoring technology for diabetes management.

Contribution

The study identifies key factors influencing diabetic patients' readiness to adopt quantified self-technology in a developing country context.

Findings

Awareness, optimism, and social support increase readiness to adopt QST.

Insecurity and challenges reduce readiness to adopt QST.

QST can improve diabetes management and reduce healthcare costs.

Abstract

Quantified self-technology (QST) can potentially improve the monitoring and management of diabetes. Despite its potential, its uptake by diabetics in developing countries is notably low. This study investigated the underlying factors influencing the readiness of diabetics to adopt QST. The research question posed was, ‘What are the factors that inform the readiness of diabetics to adopt QST in developing countries?’.

Semi-structured interviews were employed to collect qualitative data from a sample of 35 participants aged between 18 and 65 from a hospital in the city of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. The participants were selected through self-selection sampling technique. Data was analysed using Braun and Clarke's thematic data analysis.

Three factors were found to drive the readiness to adopt QST and they are awareness, optimism and social support. Conversely, two factors were found to inhibit the readiness to adopt QST and they are insecurity and challenges.

The findings suggest that patients are more likely to be ready to use QST if they are aware of the technology, optimistic and have adequate social support from family and community. Moreover, readiness can be enhanced if the patients’ challenges are addressed and insecurities are demystified. The implications of QST on diabetics are that it enhances self-monitoring of diabetes, which in turn improves preventative health and reduces hospital visits by diabetics. The implication on health policy is that adoption of QST reduces health cost of treating diabetes, hence, policies should provide enabling environment for the use of QST technologies by diabetics.

Figures