title: Access to and Interest in Using Smartphone Technology for the Management of Type 1 Diabetes in Ethnic Minority Adolescents and Their Parents.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A better understanding of parent and adolescent interest in using smartphone technology for type 1 diabetes (T1D) management is needed prior to developing technology-based interventions for ethnic minorities. This study examined access to and interest in technology-based programs for T1D in primarily Hispanic adolescents and their parents.
  
  
  METHODS
  During a scheduled clinic visit, adolescents with T1D (n = 50; 52% female; 13.6 ± 2.0 years old; 74% Hispanic; hemoglobin A1c = 8.9 ± 1.7%) and their parents (n = 49; 54% household income <$49,000) completed brief self-report surveys.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Adolescents reported having access to the Internet (98%) and their own smartphones (86%). Thirty-seven percent reported using smartphone applications (apps) for their diabetes care, with 88% reporting carbohydrate counting as its primary function. Although most participants reported high/moderate interest in diabetes-specific apps, girls were more likely than boys to endorse high interest in apps to calculate and track insulin doses. A greater proportion of parents than of adolescents expressed high interest in apps to track glucose, count carbohydrates, calculate insulin doses, track insulin use, and receive diabetes-related reminders. A greater proportion of parents than of adolescents also endorsed interest in a program that combined Internet use with smartphone apps.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results suggest ethnic minority adolescents with T1D across a range of income levels have access to smartphones. Although most parents expressed high interest in diabetes-specific apps, there was greater variability in adolescent interest. Understanding barriers and facilitators to the use of smartphone apps for diabetes care in ethnic minority adolescents may increase their interest in and ultimate adoption of this technology.
authors: 1 Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine , Miami, Florida.
authors: Sara M
authors: SM
authors: St George
authors: 2 Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine , Miami, Florida.
authors: Alan M
authors: AM
authors: Delamater
authors: 2 Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine , Miami, Florida.
authors: Elizabeth R
authors: ER
authors: Pulgaron
authors: 2 Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine , Miami, Florida.
authors: Amber
authors: A
authors: Daigre
authors: 2 Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine , Miami, Florida.
authors: Janine
authors: J
authors: Sanchez
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D063731:Mobile Applications / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D057566:Self Report; D000068997:Smartphone / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*