Introduction
The role of innovation in supporting transformation within healthcare is well recognised. This project aimed to map the current diabetes digital innovation landscape in Scotland. Through engagement with people living with diabetes, healthcare, and third-sector professionals we sought to understand unmet needs and identify gaps to inform future diabetes innovation developments.
Methods
An online survey of people living with diabetes and healthcare professionals sought to identify priorities for diabetes innovation . Desk-based research aimed to map current Scottish-based innovation projects. Interviews and workshops were designed to engage people living with diabetes and relevant healthcare and third-sector professionals in identifying gaps and aspirations for future innovation.
Results
Survey responses (n=275) and desk-based research findings were analysed to build a map of current projects and priority areas, which was validated and used to identify opportunities for future innovation in interviews (n=8), four in-person workshops (n=25) and one virtual workshop (n=16). The findings are presented as interactive digital maps structured around seven challenges: individualising care, lifestyles, education, health and digital inequalities, mental wellbeing, technology and data, and flexible care pathways. The current landscape maps identified innovation projects, highlighting their innovation type and readiness for adoption. The future landscape maps ideas and aspirations for care alongside current innovation projects. Finally, we identify five challenges in innovating diabetes care: implementation, resourcing, variation in resources and services, integrating user data, implementation timescales and managing expectations.
Discussion
This is a novel and person-centred approach to the identification of innovation priorities, putting the users’ needs at the centre of the agenda. By mapping future aspirations against current innovation projects, we highlight gaps in the diabetes innovation landscape. Work to transition these themes into future challenge calls for investment is underway.