My app is focused upon insulin dependent diabetics and I feel like throughout this process I’ve been focused upon type 1 diabetes in particular. Including a ‘are you a type 1 diabetic or type 2 diabetic’ option upon setup will expand my market because 10% of diabetics are type 1 but out of all diabetes cases (including type 1 and type 2) 30% are insulin dependent. This expands the reach of the app by 20% just by including this one button. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4714726/) The exact layout of the app will stay the same after including this however type 2 diabetics may just have different personalised education and tips and tricks. For example, type 2 diabetics may receive more guidance upon healthy meals and exercise.
Type 2 diabetics may not have carb:insulin ratios as much as type 1 diabetics. However, that’s okay because I’ve already included that scenario during set up - if the user clicks ‘no’ when asked ‘Do you have a carbohydrate ratio?’ instead of yes then fixed dosages can be inputted in the case that some type 1 diabetics may not get their ratios until later after diagnosis. Some diabetics when diagnosed can get fixed standard ratios e.g. 5 units at lunch time regardless of what they eat, then they will receive their carbohydrate:insulin ratio after getting used to the condition. The same process as previous will take place when it comes to logging food within the app, those with fixed dosages will select whether they are eating breakfast, lunch or dinner and insulin will be at administered as required, carbs just aren’t being counted. When these diabetics eventually receive a carb:insulin ratio they can input this within ‘Dosage settings’ and the app will be modified accordingly.
I wanted to create a user persona for an insulin dependent type 2 diabetic. This will help me empathise and understand this user group better.
