So i'm creating this app...

Would you enjoy a gamification element within the app?

  • I would enjoy a gamificaiton element within the app

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • I would enjoy a gamficiation element within the app, however it would depend on what the gaming-e

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • I would NOT enjoy a gamification element within the app

    Votes: 8 100.0%

  • Total voters
    8
  • Poll closed .

Aguyandanapp

Newbie
Messages
4
In order to preface this post to some extent, I would first like to introduce myself. I am currently a sophomore in college and I actually do not have diabetes, which may offer you a hint as to why I am posting on this board based on the title. Recently, one of my business courses granted our class the unique opportunity to design an app of our choosing. We have been given full jurisdiction over the app's interface, features, price, experience, etc. I teamed up with a couple of other classmates and we decided to manufacture an app that facilitates the process of monitoring diabetes, specifically Type 1 diabetes. One of our group members does in fact have diabetes 1 and it has played a rather profound role in his life, which is part of the reason we decided to create this app.

Monitoring diabetes can often be a monotonous, somewhat time-consuming process, as you have to administer the necessary amount insulin input, track BGlevels, count carbohydrates, etc. In 2013, it was estimated that there were 1,200 diabetes apps (and that was 4 years ago!), which is a rather overwhelming number of apps, many of which contain the same basic features/accomplish the same basic tasks. I have explored a variety of forum posts discussing diabetes monitoring apps and many users seem frustrated, as many apps are indistinguishable nuanced or simply omit key features that would aid in the monitoring process.

We are looking to optimize our app's user experience and interface, which brings me to my question, what sort of features would you like to see embedded in our app? How can we strive to create an app that actually responds to the needs of the diabetes community?
Thank you for your input and feel free to contact me individually if you have any concerns, questions, or suggestions!
Alex
 
Last edited:

Diakat

Expert
Retired Moderator
Messages
5,591
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
The smell of cigars
I have been put off other apps e.g. maybe because of the silly cartoon monsters. My diabetes is not a game.
 

Sid Bonkers

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,976
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Dislikes
Customer helplines that use recorded menus that promise to put me through to the right person but never do - and being ill. Oh, and did I mention customer helplines :)
A gaming element?

Perhaps a bonus for every year I survive....

I would pick another app if I were you, you clearly have no idea what it is like to live with diabetes.
 
M

ME_Valentijn

Guest
I think bringing even a self-competitive aspect into diabetes management would be a bad idea. Aiming to get ideal results can be pretty disastrous, if it incentivizes skating on the thin margin between good glucose values and going hypo.

Frankly, I can't think of a non-competitive gaming approach which would be used for an app like this. And without even a vague description of the gaming aspect from you, it's hard to imagine anything that would be feasible.
 

azure

Expert
Messages
9,780
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
I'm a little confused by why you're asking about a game element. Do you mean that you're aiming the app at young people and are trying to turn the monitoring into some kind of game?

Who are you aiming this app at?
 

Aguyandanapp

Newbie
Messages
4
A gaming element?

Perhaps a bonus for every year I survive....

I would pick another app if I were you, you clearly have no idea what it is like to live with diabetes.

gam·i·fi·ca·tion
ˌɡāmifəˈkāSHən/
The application of typical elements of game playing (e.g., point scoring, competition with others, rules of play) to other areas of activity, typically as an online marketing technique to encourage engagement with a product or service.
 

Bluetit1802

Legend
Messages
25,216
Type of diabetes
Type 2 (in remission!)
Treatment type
Diet only
gam·i·fi·ca·tion
ˌɡāmifəˈkāSHən/
The application of typical elements of game playing (e.g., point scoring, competition with others, rules of play) to other areas of activity, typically as an online marketing technique to encourage engagement with a product or service.

I'm afraid it would totally 100% discourage me!
 
D

Deleted member 308541

Guest
I modified the post, thank you for the note
That's a lot easier to read with paragraphs.

I voted no to gamification, as others have said diabetes is not a game.

The app I use has all of the features I need with out added bling, and that's how it should be.
 

col101

Well-Known Member
Messages
358
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Would speak to a diabetes specialising clinical psychologist. There are many cases of type 1 diabetics becoming obsessed by BG numbers without trying to make it a game!
There's always room for the right app though so good luck
 
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