The co-design of a reactive chatbot to support young people’s self-management of type 1 diabetes mellitus

This study co-designed a reactive chatbot to support self-management of young people and young adults with type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, during transition to adult healthcare services. Qualitative focus groups and interviews were undertaken with 38 young people and young adults aged 11-25 years at 4 study sites across England, to inform chatbot co-design. Data were analysed using Framework Analysis, the Behaviour Change Wheel and COM-B approach. The reactive chatbot includes messaging dialogues and additional materials considerate of the lived experiences of participants, barriers and enablers to self-management, behaviour change theory and techniques. As far as possible, participant recommendations for content, function, and aesthetics of the prototype were implemented. Mechanisms of action for self-management are considered in the developed chatbot. Further research is needed to explore prototype feasibility including the fidelity of the messaging content.