title: Usability Evaluation of a Blood Glucose Monitoring System With a Spill-Resistant Vial, Easier Strip Handling, and Connectivity to a Mobile App: Improvement of Patient Convenience and Satisfaction.
abstract: Proper management of diabetes mellitus requires regular self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG). This research evaluated the usability of the Accu-Chek® Guide Meter that includes a spill-resistant vial, easier strip handling, and wireless connectivity to a mobile app.
  
  
  
  A total of 197 participants were allowed to experience typical blood glucose testing tasks on the Accu-Chek Guide Meter, review data such as last result, patterns, and target percentage on the meter and on the mobile app, and then evaluate their experience through a human factors usability survey. Participants used a 6-point agree/disagree scale to rate 34 market statement questions.
  
  
  
  The results of a Pearson chi-square proportions test for each of the 34 market statement questions showed a significant difference (P < .0001) between the disagree responses (1-3) and agree responses (4-6). An overwhelming majority of participants found all aspects of the system, including the test strips, strip vial, and data analysis on the meter and the mobile app, to be a good fit for their lifestyle and to provide a better testing experience.
  
  
  
  This study found superior usability of the new meter system over the participants' current meters in both the United States and France.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA harvey@lsu.edu.
authors.forename: Craig
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Harvey
authors.affiliation: Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Koubek
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
authors.forename: Vanessa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bégat
authors.affiliation: Cardio Metabolic Institute, Villingen-Schwenningen, Germany.
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jacob
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D015190:Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D063731:Mobile Applications; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011934:Reagent Strips; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D011934:Reagent Strips
keywords: SMBG; blood glucose monitoring system; diabetes; human factors; mobile app; usability