Abstract
Diabetes disproportionately affects certain racial and ethnic groups, including the Portuguese American population, one of the largest ethnic groups in the United States. Despite their substantial presence, the unique challenges and needs of this population in managing diabetes have been overlooked. Lacking cultural sensitivity poses challenges in providing adequate healthcare. No studies have investigated developing diabetes mobile applications specifically for Portuguese American users. This study aimed to use the design thinking methodology to develop a culturally appropriate diabetes mobile application for Portuguese Americans with type 2 diabetes. Phase 1 of the three phases of this study, presented in this article, aimed to understand users’ needs and preferences in adopting mobile apps to improve diabetes self-care. The results demonstrate that most participants expressed a positive attitude toward using mobile apps. They suggested five crucial instruments to be included in the mobile application to promote diabetes self-care: blood glucose monitoring, weight tracking, carbohydrate counting, an exercise log, and medication reminders. They emphasized the importance of cultural sensitivity, including incorporating traditional Portuguese dietary choices into the mobile application. These findings inform the subsequent phases of this study, ensuring that the prototype application is culturally sensitive and tailored to the specific needs of the Portuguese American population.