Background: The prevalence of DM in Indonesia, the fourth most populous country in the world, has increased by more than 50% in the past 5 years, from 6,9% in 2013 to 10,9% in 2018, of which most of them were Type-2 (T2DM). Furthermore, >70% of cases were undiagnosed and among those receiving treatment, only <30% achieved the blood glucose target. These factors lead high rates of complications and health cost which further complicates the problem of DM in Indonesia. Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) is one of strategy to overcome this problem and well-known to give good positive outcome. In past few years, many smartphone applications are developed to support DMSE-behavior among DM patients. However, none of these applications/approach are specifically designed for DM patients in Indonesia.

Aims: The aim of this research is to develop and validate DM EduCorner as a standardized smartphone-based application for facilitating diabetes education among DM patients in Indonesia.

Method: Development of DM EduCorner application is carried out based on Android operating system (minimum SDK 23). Diabetes education material selections are based on National consensus on DM management and suggestions from experts and clinicians at the Endocrinology and Metabolism Division, Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital. Education materials are then divided into 2 group of topics: Basic and Advance. Basic topics include: (1) basics of disease; (2) nutrition and diet; (3) physical activity; (4) drugs and insulin; (5) self-monitoring blood glucose; and (6) hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, while advance topics include: (1) complications; (2) diabetic foot; (3) insulin injection technique; (4) travelling with diabetes; and (5) fasting with diabetes. All educational contents are delivered in Bahasa. Validation is then carried out by 7-days trial on at least 15 T2DM patients. Questionnaire-based assessment is provided after trial periods to assess its basic function as a standardized smartphone-based DSME application.

Results: We already released the application and can be downloaded through Google PlayStore, with “DM EduCorner” keyword. The application can run start from Android 6.0 (SDK 23), with minimum support as low as Android 5.0 (SDK 21). Diabetes educational contents within the application are delivered in form of articles, infographics, and videos, of which have been made based on National consensus on DM management criteria.

Discussion: The application can work well. Continuous updating is needed to keep the contents are up to date. We hope this application is our starting point to transforming standard conventional diabetes education into mobile-phone based diabetes education in the future!

Development of DM EduCorner as a smartphone-based DSME application for diabetes mellitus patients in Indonesia