title: Efficacy of the smartphone-based glucose management application stratified by user satisfaction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We aimed to assess the efficacy of the smartphone-based health application for glucose control and patient satisfaction with the mobile network system used for glucose self-monitoring.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-five patients were provided with a smartphone device, and self-measured blood glucose data were automatically transferred to the medical staff through the smartphone application over the course of 12 weeks. The smartphone user group was divided into two subgroups (more satisfied group vs. less satisfied group) based on the results of questionnaire surveys regarding satisfaction, comfort, convenience, and functionality, as well as their willingness to use the smartphone application in the future. The control group was set up via a review of electronic medical records by group matching in terms of age, sex, doctor in charge, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both the smartphone group and the control group showed a tendency towards a decrease in the HbA1c level after 3 months (7.7%±0.7% to 7.5%±0.7%, P=0.077). In the more satisfied group (n=27), the HbA1c level decreased from 7.7%±0.8% to 7.3%±0.6% (P=0.001), whereas in the less satisfied group (n=8), the HbA1c result increased from 7.7%±0.4% to 8.1%±0.5% (P=0.062), showing values much worse than that of the no-smartphone control group (from 7.7%±0.5% to 7.7%±0.7%, P=0.093).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In addition to medical feedback, device and network-related patient satisfaction play a crucial role in blood glucose management. Therefore, for the smartphone app-based blood glucose monitoring to be effective, it is essential to provide the patient with a well-functioning high quality tool capable of increasing patient satisfaction and willingness to use.
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. ; Institute of Catholic Ubiquitous Health Care, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hun-Sung
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Institute of Catholic Ubiquitous Health Care, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Wona
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Institute of Catholic Ubiquitous Health Care, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Eun Kyoung
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Baek
authors.affiliation: Institute of Catholic Ubiquitous Health Care, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Yun A
authors.initials: YA
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Institute of Catholic Ubiquitous Health Care, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: So Jung
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Informatics, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: In Young
authors.initials: IY
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. ; Institute of Catholic Ubiquitous Health Care, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Kun-Ho
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. ; Institute of Catholic Ubiquitous Health Care, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jae-Hyoung
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Cho
keywords: Delivery of health care; Diabetes mellitus; Information technology; Smartphone; Ubiquitous