Factors associated with eMental health adoption readiness and use by mental health counsellors in general practices (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann E.M. De Veirman ◽  
Viviane H.M. Thewissen ◽  
Matthijs G. Spruijt ◽  
Catherine A.W. Bolman

BACKGROUND Literature shows that mental health care counsellors generally have a high adoption readiness for eMental Health, while the actual use of eMental Health in patients is limited. Facilitating future adoption and use requires insight into the most important underlying factors, as well as the eligibility criteria the mental health care counsellors use in their decision to apply eMental Health for their (vulnerable) patients. OBJECTIVE This study examined the use and non-use of eMental Health by mental health counsellors and aimed to unfold the underlying reasons and readiness to adopt eMental Health. METHODS A theoretical model was developed, based on the Reasoned Action Approach, the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology Model and the Measurement Instrument Determinants of Innovations model. By means of an online survey among mental health counsellors (N = 132), this model was empirically validated. An additional study goal was to unveil the criteria mental health counsellors use to estimate patients’ eligibility for eMental health. RESULTS The most important predictors of the readiness of mental health counsellors to adopt eMental health were the perceived usefulness and benefits. eMental Health also needed to be easily accessible and making use of an eMental Health application should match the task perception of the mental health counsellor. The readiness of mental health counsellors to adopt eMental health had a direct and an indirect effect (via estimated patients’ eligibility for eMental health) on the use of eMental Health by the counsellors. In order to determine whether eMental health suited a patient, the mental health counsellors not only looked at whether the patients had access to a computer and internet and had sufficient digital and Dutch language skills, but they also considered it crucial that the patients were motivated to use eMental health. CONCLUSIONS The study revealed that there will only be a future for eMental health in general practice if the mental health counsellor is convinced of the benefits of eMental health and can transfer this enthusiasm to the patient. It is recommended to involve mental health counsellors in the development of eMental health to increase the (perceived) added value and use in general practice.

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gert Schout ◽  
Marjolein van Dijk ◽  
Ellen Meijer ◽  
Elleke Landeweer ◽  
Gideon de Jong

Summary The number of compulsory admissions in Dutch psychiatry has increased in the past 25 years. The reduction of coercion with Family Group Conferences in youth care has been successful. How, when and under what conditions can Family Group Conferences reduce coercion in adult psychiatry, is subject of an extensive inquiry. This paper, however, focusses on the reverse question, namely, in what circumstances can Family Group Conferences not be deployed? An answer to this question provides insights regarding situations in which Family Group Conferences may (not) be useful. Barriers in 17 cases were examined using multiple case studies. Findings The following barriers emerged: (1) the acute danger in coercion situations, the limited time available, the fear of liability and the culture of control and risk aversion in mental health care; (2) the severity of the mental state of clients leading to difficulties in decision-making and communication; (3) considering an Family Group Conference and involving familial networks as an added value in crisis situation is not part of the thinking and acting of professionals in mental health care; (4) clients and their network (who) are not open to an Family Group Conference. Applications Awareness of the barriers for Family Group Conferences can help to keep an open mind for its capacity to strengthen the partnership between clients, familial networks and professionals. The application of Family Group Conferences can help to effectuate professional and ethical values of social workers in their quest for the least coercive care.


2011 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 225-233 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. McKinlay ◽  
S. Garrett ◽  
L. McBain ◽  
T. Dowell ◽  
S. Collings ◽  
...  

2006 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanjyot Vagholkar ◽  
Lesley Hare ◽  
Iqbal Hasan ◽  
Nicholas Zwar ◽  
David Perkins

Introduction: The Access to Allied Psychological Services program was introduced as part of the Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care initiative in 2001?2002. Divisions of General Practice are funded to establish programs that allow GPs to refer patients for psychological treatments. The University of New South Wales evaluated programs run by the Southern Highlands and Illawarra Divisions of General Practice. This paper presents the findings of these evaluations. Method: Both evaluations analysed process and patient outcomes. This was obtained from a combination of program data and qualitative satisfaction data. Results: The two program models differed in the mechanism of retention of the psychologists and the method of referral of patients. Anxiety and depression were the main reasons for referral, and clinical data showed there was improvement in patient outcomes. Patients, GPs and psychologists expressed satisfaction with the programs. Discussion: The Access to Allied Psychological Services programs in both Divisions have proven popular. Flexibility in the program structure allows Divisions to develop a model which suits their local circumstances. There is support for ongoing Commonwealth funding and the challenge is to find the most effective and financially sustainable model of delivery for psychological services in primary care.


Author(s):  
Thomas Probst ◽  
Peter Stippl ◽  
Christoph Pieh

Reducing personal contacts is a central measure against the spreading of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). This troubles mental health, but also mental health care as treatments usually take place in personal contact and switching to remote treatments might be necessary in times of COVID-19. The present study investigated the question how the provision of psychotherapy changed in the early weeks of the COVID-19 lockdown in Austria and whether there were differences between the four therapeutic orientations eligible in Austria (psychodynamic, humanistic, systemic, behavioral). Psychotherapists (N = 1547) completed an online survey. They entered their number of patients treated on average per week (in personal contact, via telephone, via Internet) in the early weeks of the COVID-19 lockdown in Austria as well as (retrospectively) in the months before. The number of patients treated on average per week in personal contact decreased (on average 81%; p < 0.001), whereas the number of patients treated on average per week via telephone and via Internet increased (on average 979% and 1561%; both p < 0.001). Yet, the decrease of psychotherapies through personal contact was not compensated for by increases of remote psychotherapies (p < 0.001). No differences between the four therapeutic orientations emerged. Results imply an undersupply of psychotherapy in the COVID-19 lockdown and that further changes are necessary to cover the increased need for timely psychotherapy in times of COVID-19.


Author(s):  
Elke Humer ◽  
Christoph Pieh ◽  
Martin Kuska ◽  
Antonia Barke ◽  
Bettina K. Doering ◽  
...  

Psychotherapists around the world are facing an unprecedented situation with the outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). To combat the rapid spread of the virus, direct contact with others has to be avoided when possible. Therefore, remote psychotherapy provides a valuable option to continue mental health care during the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study investigated the fear of psychotherapists to become infected with COVID-19 during psychotherapy in personal contact and assessed how the provision of psychotherapy changed due to the COVID-19 situation and whether there were differences with regard to country and gender. Psychotherapists from three European countries: Czech Republic (CZ, n = 112), Germany (DE, n = 130) and Slovakia (SK, n = 96), with on average 77.8% female participants, completed an online survey. Participants rated the fear of COVID-19 infection during face-to-face psychotherapy and reported the number of patients treated on average per week (in personal contact, via telephone, via internet) during the COVID-19 situation as well as (retrospectively) in the months before. Fear of COVID-19 infection was highest in SK and lowest in DE (p < 0.001) and was higher in female compared to male psychotherapists (p = 0.021). In all countries, the number of patients treated on average per week in personal contact decreased (p < 0.001) and remote psychotherapies increased (p < 0.001), with more patients being treated via internet than via telephone during the COVID-19 situation (p < 0.001). Furthermore, female psychotherapists treated less patients in personal contact (p = 0.036), while they treated more patients via telephone than their male colleagues (p = 0.015). Overall, the total number of patients treated did not differ during COVID-19 from the months before (p = 0.133) and psychotherapy in personal contact remained the most common treatment modality. Results imply that the supply of mental health care could be maintained during COVID-19 and that changes in the provision of psychotherapy vary among countries and gender.


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