scholarly journals Use and impact of smartphone apps in mental health

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Amerio ◽  
A Scardoni ◽  
L Bellini ◽  
S Salvati ◽  
S Buttigieg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Smartphone Apps ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
The Impact

Abstract As smartphone usage is more and more ubiquitous, the app market is flourishing in all fields, including health. Indeed, the availability and use of smartphone apps (SAs) in health has exponentially grown in recent years. It has been estimated that in 2018 there were over 97,000 health apps available and that, 15% and 8% of US phone users aged 18-29 and 30-49 years respectively had health apps installed on their mobile devices. Health apps might potentially support people health paths in multiple ways: channeling health education, enabling personal health data tracking, self-monitoring and goals setting, facilitating access to health records or compliance to treatment, fostering effective communication with healthcare providers and health services, as well as supporting clinical decision-making. Despite such large potential, still scant evidence is available on the impact of SAs on clinical outcomes in different fields of medicine, including mental health. With an estimated prevalence of around 450 million people currently suffering from mental disorders and 1 in 4 people in the world affected at some point in own life, mental disorders are a leading cause of ill-health and disability worldwide whose prevention and care might be enhanced by mHealth technology. The general aim of the presentation is to provide an overview on the use and impact of SAs in the field of mental health. Specific objectives are: i) to present a conceptual framework on how SAs might support mental disorders prevention, diagnosis and treatment, ii) to report on SAs use in mental health in different settings, iii) to collect and pool available evidence from observational and experimental studies on the impact of SAs use on different mental health outcomes, iv) to explore the quality, effectiveness and attributes of top-rated smartphone mental health apps and lastly, v) to suggest gaps in knowledge to be filled by future research.

scholarly journals The Influence of Non-Clinical Patient Factors on Clinical Decision Making: Uncovering the Impact on Mental Health

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren Burns ◽  
Ana Sergio da Silva ◽  
Ann John
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Patient Factors ◽  
Clinical Patient ◽  
Referral Decisions ◽  
Sf36 Score ◽  
The Impact

BackgroundUnderstanding how non-clinical patient factors (NCpF) such as gender, educational level and socioeconomic status impact clinical decisions regarding one’s mental health is important for appropriate and equitable care. Main AimThis research aims to i) investigate the feasibility of using administrative health data to investigate clinical decision making in mental health; ii) understand the impact of NCpF on mental health-related diagnosis, treatment, and referral decisions. Methods/ApproachThree waves of the Welsh Health Survey, containing a five-item Mental Health Inventory (Short- Form SF36), and NCpF information were used to create our interest cohort. The records with a low SF36, a ‘gold standard’ identifier of common mental health conditions, were then linked to the healthcare records datasets (Primary Care GP Dataset, Patient Episode Database for Wales, Emergency Department Dataset, Outpatient Referral Dataset, Annual District Death Extract) securely stored on the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage Databank. ResultsWe will present the methodological challenges and benefits of using administrative data the study of decision making in mental health. The differences in NCpF between those with a low SF36 and a mental health diagnosis, symptoms and treatment as well as those with a similar SF36 score but no diagnosis, symptoms or treatment recorded will be presented and discussed. ConclusionAdministrative data can provide a unique opportunity to investigate issues related with clinical decision-making in mental health and improve health equity. Having a better understanding of the influence of NCpF on mental health decisions is necessary to prevent inequity in mental health care.

scholarly journals Paramedic experiences of providing care in wales (UK) during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic (PECC-19): a qualitative study using evolved grounded theory

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. e048677
Author(s):  
Nigel Rees ◽  
Lauren Smythe ◽  
Chloe Hogan ◽  
Julia Williams
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Grounded Theory ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Social Process ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
The Impact

ObjectiveTo explore paramedic experiences of providing care during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic and develop theory in order to inform future policy and practice.DesignQualitative study using constructivist evolved grounded theory (EGT) methodology. One-to-one semistructured interviews were conducted using a general interview guide. Voice over Internet Protocol was used through Skype.SettingConducted between March 2020 and November 2020 in the Welsh Ambulance Services National Health Services Trust UK which serves a population of three million.ParticipantsParamedics were recruited through a poster circulated by email and social media. Following purposive sampling, 20 Paramedics were enrolled and interviewed.ResultsEmergent categories included: Protect me to protect you, Rapid disruption and adaptation, Trust in communication and information and United in hardship. The Basic Social Process was recognised to involve Tragic Choices, conceptualised through an EGT including Tragic personal and professional choices including concerns over personnel protective equipment (PPE), protecting themselves and their families, impact on mental health and difficult clinical decisions, Tragic organisational choices including decision making support, communication, mental health and well-being and Tragic societal choices involving public shows of support, utilisation and resourcing of health services.ConclusionsRich insights were revealed into paramedic care during the COVID-19 pandemic consistent with other research. This care was provided in the context of competing and conflicting decisions and resources, where Tragic Choices have to be made which may challenge life’s pricelessness. Well-being support, clinical decision making, appropriate PPE and healthcare resourcing are all influenced by choices made before and during the pandemic, and will continue as we recover and plan for future pandemics. The impact of COVID-19 may persist, especially if we fail to learn, if not we risk losing more lives in this and future pandemics and threatening the overwhelming collective effort which united society in hardship when responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic.Trial registration numberIRAS ID: 282 623.

Healthcare assistants’ experiences on forensic mental health wards

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 179-190
Author(s):  
Stacey Boardman ◽  
Jane Clarbour ◽  
Kelly Rayner
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Role Clarity ◽  
Forensic Mental Health ◽  
Holistic View ◽  
Content Type

Purpose In forensic mental health wards, patients spend more time with healthcare assistants (HCAs) than qualified nurses. Despite this, there is no universally utilised standardised HCA training. The purpose of this paper is to assess the HCAs’ experiences in the HCA role in order to better understand how to build on the HCA role to ensure safe practice, and enhance staff well-being. Design/methodology/approach HCAs working on low and medium secure NHS forensic mental health units were recruited through purposive methods. HCAs engaged in a semi-structured interview, with questions surrounding their support needs, clinical decision making and perception of risks in the role. Template analysis was used, applying an a priori template based on the existing literature to interview transcripts. Findings The participants described the HCA experience to be defined by two master themes: “HCA factors” and “organisational factors”. HCAs valued a holistic patient view which prized patients’ experiences. The participants described a lack of role clarity which may be defined through ward expectations and professional experience. Originality/value HCAs seek a holistic view of the patient; however, some overlooked patient offences in order to do their job. Future research should address how looking past offences impacts security and HCAs’ well-being long term.

scholarly journals Medical smartphone applications

2017 ◽  
Vol 86 (2) ◽  
pp. 51-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcello G Masciantonio ◽  
Aneta A Surmanski
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Diabetes Management ◽  
Blood Glucose Control ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
Patient Health ◽  
The Impact

Smartphones have a variety of unique features including text-message communication, camera, sensors, and health applications (apps), which can be used to assist in monitoring an individual’s health, diet, and exercise, as well as support goal-focused strategies personalized to user needs. Mental health and diabetes management apps are two prominent examples that have been shown to be effective in improving specific health outcomes. Mental health apps provide day-to-day patient care by teaching users how to reduce stress, focusing on strategies to enhance mental well-being. Apps such as Kokoro, Headspace, and PRISM have been demonstrated to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, and psycho-education apps have been demonstrated to reduce symptoms and to enhance concentration during specific tasks. Many diabetes apps are accessible by patients and physicians, and include tracking features for nutrition, fitness, and hemoglobin A1c levels. Specialized apps with text-messaging services and personalized support have been associated with improvements in blood pressure and blood glucose control. Social forums also provide patients privacy and the freedom to discuss their conditions with comfort. Health apps are easily accessible and available at low or no cost, and can be an effective tool for educating patients with chronic disease, supporting collaborative self-management, extending the impact of healthcare providers, and include response anonymity. There remain significant challenges including the protection of private health information and the development of regulatory frameworks to evaluate app quality, effectiveness, and absence of harm. Overall, the implementation of smartphone apps in healthcare systems may decrease demand in clinics, reduce healthcare costs, and lead to an improvement in patient health.

scholarly journals Digital mental health apps and the therapeutic alliance: initial review

BJPsych Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip Henson ◽  
Hannah Wisniewski ◽  
Chris Hollis ◽  
Matcheri Keshavan ◽  
John Torous
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Therapeutic Alliance ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Smartphone Apps ◽  
Health Apps ◽  
Serious Mental Illnesses ◽  
The Impact

BackgroundAs mental healthcare expands to smartphone apps and other technologies that may offer therapeutic interventions without a therapist involved, it is important to assess the impact of non-traditional therapeutic relationships.AimsTo determine if there were any meaningful data regarding the digital therapeutic alliance in smartphone interventions for serious mental illnesses.MethodA literature search was conducted in four databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase and Web of Science).ResultsThere were five studies that discuss the therapeutic alliance when a mobile application intervention is involved in therapy. However, in none of the studies was the digital therapeutic alliance the primary outcome. The studies looked at different mental health conditions, had different duration of technology use and used different methods for assessing the therapeutic alliance.ConclusionsAssessing and optimising the digital therapeutic alliance holds the potential to make tools such as smartphone apps more effective and improve adherence to their use. However, the heterogeneous nature of the five studies we identified make it challenging to draw conclusions at this time. A measure is required to evaluate the digital therapeutic alliance.

Transitioning towards official clinical guidelines for the diagnostics and treatment of severe behavioural problems in children across Europe: current state and future directions.

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra-Raluca Gatej ◽  
Audri Lamers ◽  
Robert Vermeiren ◽  
Lieke van Domburgh
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Clinical Guidelines ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Daily Practice ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
European Guidelines ◽  
Current State ◽  
Assessment And Treatment ◽  
Evidence Based Treatments ◽  
Multifactorial Approach

Severe behaviour problems (SBPs) in early childhood include oppositional and aggressive behaviours and predict negative mental health outcomes later in life. Although effective treatments for this group are available and numerous clinical practice guidelines have been developed to facilitate the incorporation of evidence-based treatments in clinical decision-making (NICE, 2013), many children with SBPs remain unresponsive to treatment (Lahey & Waldman, 2012). At present, it is unknown how many countries in Europe possess official clinical guidelines for SBPs diagnosis and treatment and what is their perceived utility. The aim was to create an inventory of clinical guidelines (and associated critical needs) for the diagnostics and treatment of SBPs in youth mental health across Europe according to academic experts and mental health clinicians’ opinions. To investigate the aim, two separate online semi-structured questionnaires were used, one directed at academics (N=28 academic experts; 23 countries), and the other at clinicians (N=124 clinicians; 24 countries). Three key results were highlighted. First, guidelines for SBPs are perceived as beneficial by both experts and clinicians. However, their implementation needs to be reinforced and content better adapted to daily practice. Improvements may include taking a multifactorial approach to assessment and treatment, involving the systems around the child, and multidisciplinary collaboration. Second, academic experts and clinicians support the need for further developing national / European guidelines. Finally, future guidelines should address current challenges identified by clinicians to be more applicable to daily practice.

Religion and Medicine

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeff Levin ◽  
Stephen G. Post
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Religion And Medicine ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Faith Based ◽  
Baylor University ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Impact

In Religion and Medicine, Dr. Jeff Levin, distinguished Baylor University epidemiologist, outlines the longstanding history of multifaceted interconnections between the institutions of religion and medicine. He traces the history of the encounter between these two institutions from antiquity through to the present day, highlighting a myriad of contemporary alliances between the faith-based and medical sectors. Religion and Medicine tells the story of: religious healers and religiously branded hospitals and healthcare institutions; pastoral professionals involved in medical missions, healthcare chaplaincy, and psychological counseling; congregational health promotion and disease prevention programs and global health initiatives; research studies on the impact of religious and spiritual beliefs and practices on physical and mental health, well-being, and healing; programs and centers for medical research and education within major universities and academic institutions; religiously informed bioethics and clinical decision-making; and faith-based health policy initiatives and advocacy for healthcare reform. Religion and Medicine is the first book to cover the full breadth of this subject. It documents religion-medicine alliances across religious traditions, throughout the world, and over the course of history. It summarizes a wide range of material of relevance to historians, medical professionals, pastors and theologians, bioethicists, scientists, public health educators, and policymakers. The product of decades of rigorous and focused research, Dr. Levin has produced the most comprehensive history of these developments and the finest introduction to this emerging field of scholarship.

scholarly journals Correction to: Using behavioral insights to design implementation strategies in public mental health settings: a qualitative study of clinical decision-making

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Briana S. Last ◽  
Simone H. Schriger ◽  
Carter E. Timon ◽  
Hannah E. Frank ◽  
Alison M. Buttenheim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Public Mental Health ◽  
Implementation Strategies ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Mental Health Settings

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.

Clinical Conundrums When Integrating the QbTest into a Standard ADHD Assessment of Children and Young People

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carsten Vogt
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Ecological Validity ◽  
Neuropsychological Test ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Standard Clinical Practice ◽  
Novel Method ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThe uptake of the QbTest in clinical practice is increasing and has recently been supported by research evidence proposing its effectiveness in relation to clinical decision-making. However, the exact underlying process leading to this clinical benefit is currently not well established and requires further clarification. For the clinician, certain challenges arise when adding the QbTest as a novel method to standard clinical practice, such as having the skills required to interpret neuropsychological test information and assess for diagnostically relevant neurocognitive domains that are related to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or how neurocognitive domains express themselves within the behavioral classifications of ADHD and how the quantitative measurement of activity in a laboratory setting compares with real-life (ecological validity) situations as well as the impact of comorbidity on test results. This article aims to address these clinical conundrums in aid of developing a consistent approach and future guidelines in clinical practice.

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