According to Gram Research analysis, a qualitative study of 27 Type 2 diabetes patients found that successful health apps need three key features: easy-to-use design, tracking tools for diet and exercise, and emotional support. Researchers discovered that apps designed directly with patient input from the start are more likely to meet real-world needs and be used consistently long-term, rather than abandoned after a few weeks.
A new study asked 27 people with Type 2 diabetes what features they’d like in a health app to help them manage their condition. Researchers held group discussions to understand patients’ challenges and preferences. The findings show that successful diabetes apps need to be easy to use, help with food choices and exercise, and provide emotional support. By involving actual patients in designing these apps from the start, developers can create tools that people will actually use long-term instead of abandoning them after a few weeks.
Key Statistics
A 2026 qualitative study involving 27 Type 2 diabetes patients identified three critical features patients want in health apps: user-friendly design, diet and physical activity tracking, and emotional support tools.
Research with 27 diabetes patients found that co-designing health apps with actual patient input from the beginning significantly increases the likelihood that people will use the apps consistently and sustainably.
In focus group discussions with 27 Type 2 diabetes patients, emotional support emerged as equally important as practical features like diet and exercise tracking for managing their condition.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: What features and support do people with Type 2 diabetes want in a smartphone or computer app to help them manage their disease?
- Who participated: 27 adults diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes who had relatively stable disease control. They participated in two group discussion sessions lasting 60-90 minutes each.
- Key finding: Patients identified three critical needs: user-friendly design, features covering diet and exercise tracking, and emotional support tools. Apps designed with patient input from the beginning are more likely to meet real-world needs.
- What it means for you: If you have diabetes, your feedback matters when apps are being built. Apps designed by listening to patients tend to be more helpful and easier to stick with long-term. However, this study included mostly people with stable diabetes, so findings may not fully represent those with more serious complications.
The Research Details
Researchers conducted a qualitative study, which means they focused on understanding people’s experiences and opinions rather than testing a specific treatment. They organized two workshops where 27 people with Type 2 diabetes participated in focus group discussions—basically guided conversations where participants shared their thoughts about managing diabetes and what they’d want in a health app. Each discussion lasted between 60 and 90 minutes. The researchers recorded and analyzed these conversations to identify common themes and patterns in what patients said they needed.
After collecting all the discussion data, the research team used a method called reflexive thematic analysis. This means they carefully read through everything participants said, looking for repeated ideas and themes. They identified three main categories of information: what patients currently know and do to manage diabetes, what challenges they face in their daily self-care, and what features they’d want in a digital health app.
This research approach is important because it directly asks patients what they need instead of having app designers guess. Many health apps fail because they don’t match what real people actually want or need. By involving patients in the design process from the beginning—called co-design—developers can create apps that people will actually use consistently. This qualitative approach captures the ‘why’ behind patient needs, not just the ‘what,’ which leads to better solutions.
This study has some important strengths and limitations to understand. The strength is that it directly involved actual diabetes patients in meaningful conversations, providing genuine insights into their needs. However, the study only included 27 people, which is a relatively small group. Additionally, the researchers note that they mostly included people whose diabetes was relatively stable and well-controlled. This means people dealing with serious complications or struggling to control their blood sugar may have different needs that weren’t fully captured. The findings are valuable for understanding patient preferences but shouldn’t be seen as representing every person with diabetes.
What the Results Show
The research identified three major themes that emerged from patient discussions. First, participants shared their current knowledge and practices around diabetes management. They explained what they already do to manage their condition and what they understand about diabetes care. Second, patients openly discussed the real challenges they face in managing their diabetes day-to-day. These weren’t just medical challenges but also practical and emotional ones. Third, participants described what they would want in an ideal digital health application—the features, design, and support that would actually help them.
Across all discussions, several specific needs became clear. Patients emphasized that any app needs to be user-friendly and easy to navigate, not complicated or confusing. They wanted interactive features that help them track and manage diet—what they eat and how it affects their blood sugar. Physical activity tracking was equally important, as exercise is a key part of diabetes management. Perhaps most importantly, participants highlighted the need for emotional support features. Managing diabetes isn’t just physical; it’s emotionally challenging, and patients wanted apps that acknowledge and help with the stress, frustration, and anxiety that often come with the condition.
The research underscored a critical insight: when patients are involved in designing apps from the very beginning, the final product is much more likely to meet their actual needs and be something they’ll use consistently. This co-design approach—where developers and patients work together—appears to be key to creating apps that people stick with long-term rather than abandoning after a few weeks.
Beyond the main themes, the study revealed that patients value personalization in health apps. They want tools that adapt to their individual situations, not one-size-fits-all solutions. Participants also expressed interest in features that help them understand the connection between their daily choices (food, exercise, stress) and their blood sugar levels. The importance of easy communication with healthcare providers through the app was mentioned, suggesting patients want their app to bridge the gap between home and clinical care. Additionally, participants emphasized that apps should provide encouragement and motivation, not just data collection.
This research aligns with broader findings in digital health research showing that many health apps fail because they’re designed without adequate patient input. Previous studies have shown that apps created with patient involvement have higher engagement and better health outcomes. This study adds to that evidence by specifically identifying what diabetes patients want: simplicity, practical tracking features, and emotional support. The emphasis on co-design reflects a growing shift in healthcare technology from ‘building for patients’ to ‘building with patients.’
The study has several important limitations. With only 27 participants, the findings represent a relatively small group and may not apply to all people with diabetes. The researchers specifically note that they mostly included people whose diabetes was stable and well-controlled. This means people struggling with unstable blood sugar levels, serious complications, or newly diagnosed diabetes may have different needs that weren’t captured. The study was also conducted in a specific setting (two workshops), which may not reflect how people think about apps in their everyday lives. Additionally, the study describes what patients want but doesn’t test whether an app built on these recommendations actually works better than existing apps.
The Bottom Line
If you have Type 2 diabetes and use health apps, look for ones that are easy to navigate, include diet and exercise tracking, and offer emotional support features. When app developers ask for your feedback or involve you in testing, participate—your input helps create better tools. Healthcare providers should consider recommending apps that were designed with patient input. App developers should prioritize involving actual diabetes patients in the design process from the start, not just at the end. These recommendations have moderate confidence because they’re based on patient preferences rather than testing whether apps actually improve health outcomes.
People with Type 2 diabetes should care about these findings because they highlight what makes a health app actually useful. Healthcare providers and diabetes educators should care because better apps can support their patients’ self-care between appointments. App developers and health technology companies should care because this research shows the path to creating apps people will actually use. Health insurance companies and healthcare systems should care because apps that patients stick with can improve outcomes and reduce complications. However, people with Type 1 diabetes, newly diagnosed patients, or those with serious diabetes complications may have different needs not fully addressed in this study.
Changes don’t happen overnight. If you start using an app designed with patient input, you might notice it feels easier to use within the first week. Seeing real benefits in your diabetes management—better blood sugar control, improved diet choices, more consistent exercise—typically takes 4-8 weeks of consistent use. Building a lasting habit with the app usually takes 2-3 months. The emotional support benefits may be noticeable sooner, sometimes within days, as you feel less alone in managing your condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What features do diabetes patients want most in health apps?
A 2026 study of 27 diabetes patients identified three essential features: simple, easy-to-use design; tools to track meals and exercise; and emotional support features. Patients emphasized that apps should help them understand how their daily choices affect blood sugar and provide encouragement, not just data collection.
Why do so many health apps fail to help people manage diabetes?
Research shows many apps fail because they’re designed without asking patients what they actually need. This study found that apps created with patient input from the start are much more likely to be used consistently. Apps designed by listening to patients tend to be simpler, more practical, and address emotional needs alongside medical ones.
How important is emotional support in diabetes management apps?
According to the 2026 study, emotional support was highlighted as equally important as physical tracking features. Patients emphasized that managing diabetes creates stress and anxiety, and they wanted apps that acknowledge and help with these emotional challenges, not just monitor blood sugar numbers.
Should I wait for a new diabetes app or use what’s available now?
Look for existing apps that include the three key features identified: easy navigation, diet and exercise tracking, and some form of support or motivation features. While new apps designed with patient input may be better, using a helpful app now is better than waiting. You can always switch if a better option becomes available.
Can I help improve diabetes apps by sharing my feedback?
Yes. This research shows patient feedback is crucial for creating better apps. When app developers ask for testing or feedback, participating helps them build tools that actually work for real people. Your experience managing diabetes is valuable data that makes apps better for everyone.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track three specific behaviors daily: (1) meals logged with carbohydrate counts, (2) minutes of physical activity, and (3) one emotional check-in rating your stress level from 1-10. This captures the three main needs patients identified.
- Start by setting one small, achievable goal based on the app’s features—for example, logging breakfast for one week, or taking a 10-minute walk three times this week. Once that becomes routine, add another behavior. This gradual approach matches how real behavior change happens.
- Review your app data weekly to spot patterns: Which meals affect your blood sugar most? When do you move more? What times of day stress you most? Use these patterns to make small adjustments. Share interesting patterns with your doctor at appointments to show how the app is helping you understand your diabetes better.
This study describes what diabetes patients want in health apps based on their preferences and experiences, but it does not test whether apps built on these recommendations actually improve blood sugar control or health outcomes. The findings are based on 27 people with relatively stable diabetes, so they may not apply to everyone with diabetes, especially those with unstable blood sugar or serious complications. Always consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new app or changing your diabetes management routine. This research is informational and should not replace medical advice from your doctor or diabetes care team.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.