Keeping up with technology – The development of a tablet-based multimedia education programme for women with a history of gestational diabetes: a formative evaluation

摘要

BACKGROUNDudA history of gestational diabetes significantly increases the risk of progression to type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Lifestyle intervention is an effective technique for delaying or preventing the onset of T2DM in this population and represents a unique opportunity for the primary prevention of type 2 diabetes. Following gestational diabetes, women face significant barriers to engaging in education and achieving health behaviour change. A multimedia patient education programme could overcome the barriers and be an effective method of reaching this population.udOBJECTIVEudThe aim of the programme was to support women with a recent history of gestational diabetes to make lifestyle changes with the view to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes in the future. This stage of the project aimed to evaluate the relevance, usability, content and appearance of the programme and also to identify any issues with the programme prior to proceeding to clinical trial.udMETHODSudThe multimedia education programme was developed using a five stage system development method: identification of user requirements, system design, system development, system evaluation and system application. Experts and patient representatives assessed the relevance, usability, content and appearance through a formative evaluation.udRESULTSudThe multimedia education programme ‘Keeping Healthy after Gestational Diabetes’ contained seven modules: introduction, health, diet, lifestyle, baby health, living post GDM and warning signs. The formative evaluation by 22 experts and 20 patient representatives has provided valuable direction for the on-going development of the programme and suggest that the programme is relevant, easy to use, interesting and visually appealing.udCONCLUSIONudFindings suggest that users found the programme relevant, easy to use, interesting and visually appealing; suggesting that this may be a feasible and acceptable mode of education.