Potential Use of Voice-Activated Personal Assistants in Diabetes Prevention and Management: An Exploratory Qualitative Study Using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research

Background: Diabetes affects millions of people in the United States and poses significant health and economic challenges, but it can be prevented or managed through health behavior changes. Such changes might be aided by voice-activated personal assistants (VAPAs), which offer interactive and real-time assistance through features such as reminders, or obtaining health information. However, there are little data on interest and acceptability of integrating VAPAs into programs such as the National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP) or diabetes, self-management, education, and support (DSMES) services.

Methods: We conducted individual and small-group semi-structured interviews of National DPP and DSMES staff and program participants. We used rapid-turnaround qualitative thematic analysis to identify emerging themes using an adapted version of the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR).

Results: Nearly all program participants and staff had prior experience with VAPAs, but not in the context of these programs. Most program participants felt confident in their ability to use VAPAs but were concerned about their privacy and security. Program staff were optimistic about the feasibility of integrating VAPAs into existing programs given their ability to support healthy habit formation, but staff were less optimistic about using VAPAs to share health information. Program staff also felt that additional resources to support VAPA use would help ensure that VAPAs would not create an extra burden on staff and program participants.

Implications: Integrating VAPAs as a resource to enhance mobile applications already in use shows potential to support health behavior change. Future research should include how this technology could be further optimized to enhance utility.