Estimating carbs

For improved diabetes self-management and a healthy everyday life

Master thesis (2017)

Authors

M. Büskens Industrial Design Engineering

Contributors

M.H. Sonneveld (mentor)
F. Sleeswijk Visser (graduation committee member)
Gert Bergman (coach)
Thijs Hofker (coach)
Faculty
Industrial Design Engineering, Industrial Design Engineering
Copyright: © 2017 Myrthe Büskens
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Published Date

23-08-2017

Language

English

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Faculty

Industrial Design Engineering

Abstract

People with diabetes who are treated with an intensive insulin treatment have to manage their disease independently. The success of an intensive insulin treatment is dependent on the ability of someone to determine his carbohydrate intake: when you know how much carbohydrates you eat, you know how much insulin you have to inject. However, determining your carbohydrate intake is experienced as ambiguous, complex and confusing. This assignment focuses on people in an intensive insulin treatment who have to enter the grams of carbohydrates that they are about to eat into a blood glucose meter.

Research shows that people need more support at home to be able to learn to determine their carb intake than is currently offered. Four design research cycles uncovered how and when people need extra support the most. A final design proposal is made that trains people with diabetes in intensive insulin therapy in estimating their carb intake by supporting them with exercises and insights so they can learn to intuitively apply their knowledge and skills.