Digital Support for People with Type 1 Diabetes

The eNSPIRE project is developing a digital platform for people with Type 1 diabetes. It brings together health data, AI-supported assistance and peer exchange to strengthen self-management and improve the quality of life of those affected.

The number of people living with Type 1 diabetes is increasing worldwide – particularly among children and adolescents. Studies show that the number of new diagnoses rises by around 3–4% each year. In addition to genetic factors, environmental conditions and processes within the immune system also play an important role.

The eNSPIRE research project builds on insights gained from earlier projects. These findings showed that, alongside medical treatment, psychosocial factors play a significant role in everyday life with the condition. At the same time, a strong demand for digital solutions that support people with Type 1 diabetes in managing their disease was identified.

Objectives and innovation

The aim of the eNSPIRE project is to develop a digital, data-based platform that helps people with Type 1 diabetes better understand their condition and manage it independently in everyday life.

The platform combines three key areas of support:

Health data
The application can integrate data from Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) systems, which measure blood glucose levels continuously. This gives users a clearer overview of their values and their therapy.

Emotional support
An AI-supported chatbot with medical expert knowledge is available to users and can actively provide guidance and information.

Social support
Through a secure peer-support system, people affected by Type 1 diabetes can connect with trained peers who also live with the condition and share their experiences.

A key innovation of eNSPIRE is the integration of medical data, personal experiences and psychosocial support within a single platform. In addition, so-called Patient-Reported Outcomes (PROs) are included, allowing patients to report on their own well-being and life situation.

This makes it possible to better understand connections between lifestyle, emotions and blood glucose levels. At the same time, physicians receive additional information between appointments and can adjust treatments more precisely.

Key challenges of the project include developing suitable matching algorithms for peer support, providing highly personalised assistance, and ensuring data protection and data security.

Expected results

Targeted digital support aims to improve the self-management of people with Type 1 diabetes while enabling potential health issues to be identified at an earlier stage.

The combination of health data, emotional support and social exchange can contribute to better health outcomes and an improved quality of life in the long term.

Expected results include:

• greater independence in managing the condition

• improved treatment adherence

• fewer acute complications

• higher quality of life

• stronger health literacy and personal responsibility

• potential transferability of the solution to other chronic diseases

Exploitation perspective

aks gesundheit GmbH plans to integrate the results of the project into existing care services in the future. In particular, the concept developed will continue to be used in the field of digital peer-support programmes.

In the long term, the application may also be expanded to support people with other chronic conditions.

Furthermore, eNSPIRE is being developed with the aim of enabling future approval as a digital health application within the Austrian healthcare system. To achieve this, the project includes technical development, an effectiveness study and the preparation of the necessary documentation.

The goal is for eNSPIRE to contribute to the further development of telemedicine and digital healthcare in Austria.