Preventing Diabetic Foot Ulcers With eHealth: Rethinking Digital Care In Co-design

The number of people with diabetes is projected to increase over the upcoming years, putting pressure on care systems. Many patients with diabetes are at high risk of developing foot ulcers. These patients often struggle to relate to and monitor the health of their feet in everyday life. While eHealth technologies show promise in supporting self-management of diabetes, their use is still limited in the context of diabetic feet. By following a design process using co-design practices, we developed a suitable eHealth application that supports people in preventing diabetic foot complications. Through a participatory design approach, we uncovered 11 design requirements highlighting the importance of offering digital support when possible but enabling physical care when needed. We argue for a technology-supported culture of care through simplified self-monitoring and direct contact with care professionals. Finally, we discuss implications for designing eHealth solutions by involving all relevant stakeholders.