Diabetes Lifestyle (e)Coaching 50 Weeks Follow Up: Technology Acceptance & e-Relationships

We report on the 50 weeks follow up results from a healthy lifestyle pilot (High Intensity Nutrition, Training & coaching), conducted with 11 insulin - dependent Type 2 Diabetes Mellites (DM2) patients. Hybrid eH ealth support was given, with electronic support plus a multi - disciplinary health support team. Regarding the pilot goal of long term healthy lifestyle adoption in senior DM2 patients, challenges were: low ICT - and health literacy. This exploratory design analysis formulates design lessons based on 50 weeks follow up. The first 12 weeks contained intensive face - to - face and eSupported coaching. After that, patient self - management and eTools were key. After 50 weeks, attractiveness and feasibility of the in tervention were perceived as high: recommendation 9,5 out of 10 and satisfaction 9,6 out of 10. TAM (Technology Acceptance Model) surveys showed high usefulness and feasibility. Acceptance and health behaviours were reinforced by the prolonged health resu lts: Aerobic and strength capacity levels were improved at 50 weeks, plus Health Related Quality of Life (and biometric benefits and medication reductions, reported elsewhere). We draw three types of conclusions. First, patients’ health literacy and qualit y of life improved strongly, which both supported healthy behaviours, even after 50 weeks. Second, regarding eHealth theory, iterative growth cycles are beneficial for long term adoption and e - relationships. Third, a design analysis was conducted regarding long term service mix efficacy in relation to key requirements for designing ICT - enabled lifestyle interventions. Several suggestions for long term lifestyle eSupport are given.