T1D Buddy: A Hybrid Solution to Provide Type 1 Diabetic Support for Early Diagnosed Children

This paper describes a two-tier health-tech intervention - T1D Buddy - created to empower pediatric type 1 diabetic (T1D) patients in managing and learning about T1D via a mobile application, along with a physical toy for further user engagement. We explore the use of gamification and personalization to support better disease management and encourage patient education, in a Pakistani context. This work's final design is telling of the role that age-appropriate engagement mechanisms, gamified learning and simple-to-use interfaces play in making lives of children battling T1D easier. With an extensive user study, design conception and preliminary usability analysis, this paper discusses the potential efficacy of a hybrid solution, and the role that user centered design can play in improving T1D care. We hope that through this research, we have taken the first step towards providing a multi-level technological solution for children tackling T1D in the global South.