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Seegan PL, McGuire JF. Provider and patient barriers and facilitators to integration of digital mental health applications in routine clinical care. J Affect Disord 2024; 363:55-62. [PMID: 39025447 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.07.089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 07/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The limited accessibility of mental healthcare providers highlights the need for innovative approaches to provide effective and efficient care. Digital mental health applications (DMHAs) can improve patient access to evidence-based treatments and reduce burden on the healthcare system. Here, we examined the provider and patient barriers and facilitators to integration of DMHAs in a healthcare system. METHODS Patients (n = 57) and providers (n = 100) were recruited from a large healthcare system over five months. Participants completed a survey assessing attitudes towards DMHAs, and perceived facilitators and barriers to adoption and utilization of DMHAs in mental healthcare. RESULTS DMHA credibility was a key facilitator for provider adoption, while usability and accessibility were identified as key facilitators for patient utilization. Provider barriers included patient cost/provider reimbursement, limited knowledge, perceived limits to credibility, patient outcome enhancement, and personalization of DMHAs for patient needs. Patients identified privacy concerns as the top barrier for using DMHAs. LIMITATIONS The self-report survey nature of this study, modest sample size, and majority of sample identifying as White and upper middle class make results subject to biases and limitations. Given the potential of DMHAs to address disparities in access to mental healthcare, more research is needed including populations who are at greatest risk. CONCLUSIONS Findings provide new insights to inform the development of intervention strategies to improve the integration of DMHAs within healthcare systems. Additional research examining key stakeholders at different levels of care is critical to address barriers, optimize facilitators, and develop roadmaps for best-practice use in healthcare systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paige L Seegan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States of America.
| | - Joseph F McGuire
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
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Ross DC, McCallum N, Truuvert AK, Butt A, Behdinan T, Rojas D, Soklaridis S, Vigod S. The development and evaluation of a virtual, asynchronous, trauma-focused treatment program for adult survivors of childhood interpersonal trauma. J Ment Health 2024:1-10. [PMID: 38572918 DOI: 10.1080/09638237.2024.2332797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The long-term mental and physical health implications of childhood interpersonal trauma on adult survivors is immense, however, there is a lack of available trauma-focused treatment services that are widely accessible. This study, utilizing a user-centered design process, sought feedback on the initial design and development of a novel, self-paced psychoeducation and skills-based treatment intervention for this population. AIMS To explore the views and perspectives of adult survivors of childhood interpersonal trauma on the first two modules of an asynchronous trauma-focused treatment program. METHODS Fourteen participants from our outpatient hospital service who completed the modules consented to provide feedback on their user experience. A thematic analysis of the three focus groups was conducted. RESULTS Four major themes emerged from the focus groups: (1) technology utilization, (2) module content, (3) asynchronous delivery, and (4) opportunity for interactivity. Participants noted the convenience of the platform and the use of multimedia content to increase engagement and did not find the modules to be emotionally overwhelming. CONCLUSIONS Our research findings suggest that an asynchronous virtual intervention for childhood interpersonal trauma survivors may be a safe and acceptable way to provide a stabilization-focused intervention on a wider scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana C Ross
- Women's College Hospital and Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Nancy McCallum
- Women's College Hospital and Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Annie K Truuvert
- Women's College Hospital and Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Aysha Butt
- Women's College Hospital and Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Tina Behdinan
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - David Rojas
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- The Wilson Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sophie Soklaridis
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- The Wilson Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Centre for Addictions and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Simone Vigod
- Women's College Hospital and Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Fenski F, Behr S, Schaeuffele C, Boettcher J, Knaevelsrud C. [Blended care: state of research and possibilities for implementation]. DER NERVENARZT 2024; 95:216-222. [PMID: 38085284 DOI: 10.1007/s00115-023-01579-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Psychotherapy is effective in treating mental disorders; however, not all patients benefit to the same extent and treatment gains are not always maintained. Blended care (BC) has the potential to improve psychotherapeutic care by combining traditional psychotherapy with online contents. OBJECTIVE To explore the potential of BC for psychotherapeutic care and investigate its implementation possibilities. MATERIAL AND METHODS Presentation of the effectiveness of various BC modalities, attitudes of users and decision-makers, and discussion of recommendations for its implementation. RESULTS Indications for the effectiveness of BC in different modalities has been shown in several studies. Both therapists and patients prefer BC over a purely online intervention and want customizable contents; however, it remains unclear for which patients BC is a particularly suitable treatment option. CONCLUSION Various combinations of BC have the potential to be an effective and financially viable treatment option. Successful implementation requires better education about BC and the provision of the necessary infrastructure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Friederike Fenski
- Klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie, Psychologische Hochschule Berlin, Berlin, Deutschland
| | - Solveig Behr
- Arbeitsbereich Klinisch-Psychologische Intervention, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Deutschland.
| | - Carmen Schaeuffele
- Arbeitsbereich Klinisch-Psychologische Intervention, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Deutschland
| | - Johanna Boettcher
- Klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie, Psychologische Hochschule Berlin, Berlin, Deutschland
| | - Christine Knaevelsrud
- Arbeitsbereich Klinisch-Psychologische Intervention, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Deutschland
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Biskupiak Z, Ha VV, Rohaj A, Bulaj G. Digital Therapeutics for Improving Effectiveness of Pharmaceutical Drugs and Biological Products: Preclinical and Clinical Studies Supporting Development of Drug + Digital Combination Therapies for Chronic Diseases. J Clin Med 2024; 13:403. [PMID: 38256537 PMCID: PMC10816409 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13020403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Limitations of pharmaceutical drugs and biologics for chronic diseases (e.g., medication non-adherence, adverse effects, toxicity, or inadequate efficacy) can be mitigated by mobile medical apps, known as digital therapeutics (DTx). Authorization of adjunct DTx by the US Food and Drug Administration and draft guidelines on "prescription drug use-related software" illustrate opportunities to create drug + digital combination therapies, ultimately leading towards drug-device combination products (DTx has a status of medical devices). Digital interventions (mobile, web-based, virtual reality, and video game applications) demonstrate clinically meaningful benefits for people living with Alzheimer's disease, dementia, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, chronic pain, epilepsy, depression, and anxiety. In the respective animal disease models, preclinical studies on environmental enrichment and other non-pharmacological modalities (physical activity, social interactions, learning, and music) as surrogates for DTx "active ingredients" also show improved outcomes. In this narrative review, we discuss how drug + digital combination therapies can impact translational research, drug discovery and development, generic drug repurposing, and gene therapies. Market-driven incentives to create drug-device combination products are illustrated by Humira® (adalimumab) facing a "patent-cliff" competition with cheaper and more effective biosimilars seamlessly integrated with DTx. In conclusion, pharma and biotech companies, patients, and healthcare professionals will benefit from accelerating integration of digital interventions with pharmacotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zack Biskupiak
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Victor Vinh Ha
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Aarushi Rohaj
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
- The Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84113, USA
| | - Grzegorz Bulaj
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
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Owusu JT, Wang P, Wickham RE, Varra AA, Chen C, Lungu A. Real-World Evaluation of a Large-Scale Blended Care-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Program for Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression. Telemed J E Health 2022; 28:1412-1420. [PMID: 35263185 PMCID: PMC9587796 DOI: 10.1089/tmj.2021.0590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Prior studies have supported the effectiveness of blended interventions for anxiety and depression; however, outcomes research of large-scale blended interventions for these conditions is limited. Objective: To investigate the outcomes of scaled-up blended care (BC) cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a program that combined video-based psychotherapy with internet CBT, for symptoms of anxiety and depression. Materials and Methods: Participants were 6,738 U.S.-based adults with elevated symptoms of anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 [GAD-7] ≥ 8) and/or depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 [PHQ-9] ≥ 10) at baseline who received BC-CBT as an employer-offered mental health benefit. The primary outcomes, anxiety (GAD-7) and depression (PHQ-9) symptoms, were routinely measured in the program. Recovery and reliable improvement in outcomes were calculated, and growth curve models evaluated change in outcomes during treatment and the effects of engaging in psychotherapy sessions on outcomes. Results: On average, participants received treatment for 7.6 (standard deviation = 6.2) weeks. By the end of care, 5,491 (81.5%) participants had reliable improvement in either anxiety or depression symptoms; in addition, 5,535 (82.1%) fell below the clinical threshold for either anxiety or depression symptoms (i.e., recovered). Declines in anxiety and depression symptoms were statistically significant over the course of BC-CBT (both p's < 0.01), with the rate of decline significantly decreasing for each outcome as treatment progressed (both p's < 0.01). Each psychotherapy session completed was significantly associated with lower anxiety and depression symptoms during the week of the session and the subsequent week (all p's < 0.01). Conclusions: This real-world study provides evidence that scaled-up BC-CBT can be effective in the treatment of symptoms of anxiety and depression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pam Wang
- Lyra Health, Burlingame, California, USA
| | - Robert E Wickham
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA
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Graziani G, Aylward BS, Fung V, Kunkle S. Changes in healthcare costs following engagement with a virtual mental health system: a matched cohort study of healthcare claims data. PROCEDIA COMPUTER SCIENCE 2022; 206:173-182. [PMID: 36158864 PMCID: PMC9489472 DOI: 10.1016/j.procs.2022.09.096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the pressing need for mental health services. Digital mental health interventions could increase access to care and be an effective approach to reducing anxiety and depression at scale; however, research on their impact on healthcare expenditure is in the nascent stage and requires further investigation. The current study used claims data to examine the associations between use of an on-demand digital mental health platform and healthcare utilization costs compared to a matched control cohort. The study found that there were no significant differences between cohorts in total healthcare costs and pharmacy costs. There was a 16.8% reduction in outpatient costs (p=.08). On-demand digital mental health interventions can serve as a scalable approach to addressing the current mental health demands and potentially lower outpatient costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grant Graziani
- Ginger, 116 New Montgomery St Suite 500, San Francisco, CA 94105, USA
| | | | - Vicki Fung
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Mongan Institute for Health Policy 50 Staniford Street Boston MA 02114, USA
| | - Sarah Kunkle
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Mongan Institute for Health Policy 50 Staniford Street Boston MA 02114, USA
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