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Weermeijer JDM, Wampers M, de Thurah L, Bonnier R, Piot M, Kuppens P, Myin-Germeys I, Kiekens G. Usability of the Experience Sampling Method in Specialized Mental Health Care: Pilot Evaluation Study. JMIR Form Res 2023; 7:e48821. [PMID: 37988137 DOI: 10.2196/48821] [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: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mental health problems occur in interactions in daily life. Yet, it is challenging to bring contextual information into the therapy room. The experience sampling method (ESM) may facilitate this by assessing clients' thoughts, feelings, symptoms, and behaviors as they are experienced in everyday life. However, the ESM is still primarily used in research settings, with little uptake in clinical practice. One aspect that may facilitate clinical implementation concerns the use of ESM protocols, which involves providing practitioners with ready-to-use ESM questionnaires, sampling schemes, visualizations, and training. OBJECTIVE This pilot study's objective was to evaluate the usability of an ESM protocol for using the ESM in a specialized mental health care setting. METHODS We created the ESM protocol using the m-Path software platform and tested its usability in clinical practice. The ESM protocol consists of a dashboard for practitioners (ie, including the setup of the template and data visualizations) and an app for clients (ie, for completing the ESM questionnaires). A total of 8 practitioners and 17 clients used the ESM in practice between December 1, 2020, and July 31, 2021. Usability was assessed using questionnaires, ESM compliance rates, and semistructured interviews. RESULTS The usability was overall rated reasonable to good by practitioners (mean scores of usability items ranging from 5.33, SD 0.91, to 6.06, SD 0.73, on a scale ranging from 1 to 7). However, practitioners expressed difficulty in personalizing the template and reported insufficient guidelines on how to use the ESM in clinical practice. On average, clients completed 55% (SD 25%) of the ESM questionnaires. They rated the usability as reasonable to good, but their scores were slightly lower and more variable than those of the practitioners (mean scores of usability items ranging from 4.18, SD 1.70, to 5.94, SD 1.50 on a scale ranging from 1 to 7). Clients also voiced several concerns over the piloted ESM template, with some indicating no interest in the continued use of the ESM. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that using an ESM protocol may facilitate the implementation of the ESM as a mobile health assessment tool in psychiatry. However, additional adaptions should be made before further implementation. Adaptions include providing training on personalizing questionnaires, adding additional sampling scheme formats as well as an open-text field, and creating a dynamic data visualization interface. Future studies should also identify factors determining the suitability of the ESM for specific treatment goals among different client populations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Martien Wampers
- Center for Contextual Psychiatry, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lena de Thurah
- Center for Contextual Psychiatry, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Rafaël Bonnier
- Center for Contextual Psychiatry, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Maarten Piot
- Quantitative Psychology and Individual Differences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Peter Kuppens
- Quantitative Psychology and Individual Differences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Glenn Kiekens
- Center for Contextual Psychiatry, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Quantitative Psychology and Individual Differences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Research Unit of Clinical Psychology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, Netherlands
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Bartels SL, van Zelst C, Melo Moura B, Daniëls NE, Simons CJ, Marcelis M, Bos FM, Servaas MN. Feedback based on experience sampling data: Examples of current approaches and considerations for future research. Heliyon 2023; 9:e20084. [PMID: 37809510 PMCID: PMC10559801 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e20084] [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: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Methodologies such as the Experience Sampling Method (ESM) or Ecological Momentary Assessment allow the gathering of fine-graded, dynamic, personal data within a patient's daily life. Currently, it is studied whether feedback based on experience sampling data (ESM-based feedback) can be used as a clinical tool to inform shared decision-making in clinical practice. Although the potential of feedback is recognized, little is known on how to generate, use, and implement it. This article (i) presents n = 15 ongoing ESM projects within the Belgian-Dutch network for ESM research wherein ESM-based feedback is provided to various patient populations, and (ii) summarizes qualitative data on experiences with ESM-based feedback of researchers (n = 8) with extensive expertise with ESM (average of 10 years) involved in these ongoing studies. The following aspects appear to be of relevance when providing ESM-based feedback: training for healthcare professionals and researchers, the use of online interfaces and graphical visualizations to present data, and interacting with patients in a face-to-face setting when discussing the contextual relevance and potential implications. Prospectively, research may build on these aspects and create coherent consensus-based guidelines for the use of ESM-based feedback.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Laureen Bartels
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Alzheimer Centre Limburg, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Catherine van Zelst
- Department of Psychosis Research and Innovation, Parnassia Psychiatric Institute, The Hague, the Netherlands
- GGzE Institute for Mental Health Care Eindhoven, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - Bernardo Melo Moura
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Institute of Pharmacology and Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
- Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Faculdade de Medicina, Portugal
| | - Naomi E.M. Daniëls
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Department of Family Medicine, Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Claudia J.P. Simons
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- GGzE Institute for Mental Health Care Eindhoven, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - Machteld Marcelis
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- GGzE Institute for Mental Health Care Eindhoven, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - Fionneke M. Bos
- Department of Psychiatry, Interdisciplinary Center for Psychopathology and Emotion Regulation, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Rob Giel Research Center, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Michelle N. Servaas
- Department of Psychiatry, Interdisciplinary Center for Psychopathology and Emotion Regulation, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
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Piot M, Mestdagh M, Riese H, Weermeijer J, Brouwer JM, Kuppens P, Dejonckheere E, Bos FM. Practitioner and researcher perspectives on the utility of ecological momentary assessment in mental health care: A survey study. Internet Interv 2022; 30:100575. [PMID: 36193339 PMCID: PMC9526140 DOI: 10.1016/j.invent.2022.100575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) is a scientific self-monitoring method to capture individuals' daily life experiences. Early on, EMA has been suggested to have the potential to improve mental health care. However, it remains unclear if and how EMA should be implemented. This requires an in-depth investigation of how practitioners and researchers view the implementation of EMA. OBJECTIVE Explore the perspectives of mental health practitioners and EMA researchers on the utility of EMA for mental health care. METHODS Practitioners (n = 89; psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurses) and EMA researchers (n = 62) completed a survey about EMA in clinical practice. This survey addressed EMA goals for practitioner and patient, requirements regarding clinical use of EMA, and (dis)advantages of EMA compared to treatment-as-usual. t-Tests were used to determine agreement with each statement and whether practitioners' and researchers' views differed significantly. Linear regression was used to explore predictors of goals and preferences (e.g., EMA experience). RESULTS Practitioners and researchers considered EMA to be a useful clinical tool for diverse stages of care. They indicated EMA to be most useful for gaining insight into the context specificity of symptoms (55.0 %), whereas receiving alerts when symptoms increase was rated the least useful (11.3 %, alerts is in 95 % of bootstrap iterations between rank 8 and 10). Compared to treatment-as-usual, EMA was considered easier to use (M = 4.87, t = 5.30, p < .001) and interpret (M = 4.52, t = 3.61, p < .001), but also more burdensome for the patient (M = 4.48, t = 3.17, p < .001). Although participants preferred personalization of the EMA diary, they also suggested that EMA should cost practitioners and patients limited time. The preference for creating personalized EMA was related to the level of experience with EMA. Finally, they highlighted the need for practitioner training and patient full-time access to the EMA feedback. CONCLUSIONS This survey study demonstrated that practitioners and researchers expect EMA to have added value for mental health care. Concrete recommendations for implementation of EMA are formulated. This may inform the development of specific clinical applications and user-friendly EMA software.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maarten Piot
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Corresponding author at: Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Tiensestraat 102, Leuven 3000, Belgium.
| | - Merijn Mestdagh
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Harriëtte Riese
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Psychiatry, Interdisciplinary Center Psychopathology and Emotion regulation (ICPE), Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Jeroen Weermeijer
- Center for Contextual Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jannie M.A. Brouwer
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Psychiatry, Interdisciplinary Center Psychopathology and Emotion regulation (ICPE), Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Peter Kuppens
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Egon Dejonckheere
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department Medical and Clinical Psychology, Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Tilburg, Belgium
| | - Fionneke M. Bos
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Psychiatry, Interdisciplinary Center Psychopathology and Emotion regulation (ICPE), Groningen, the Netherlands
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Do Men and Women Have a Different Association between Fear-Avoidance and Pain Intensity in Chronic Pain? An Experience Sampling Method Cohort-Study. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11195515. [PMID: 36233383 PMCID: PMC9572454 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11195515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Fear-avoidance is one of the factors associated with chronic pain. However, it remains unclear whether the association between fear-avoidance and pain depends on sex. The present study aimed to investigate whether the association between fear-avoidance and pain intensity differed between men and women in chronic pain patients. Additionally, the potential confounding effect of affective experiences on the association between fear-avoidance and pain intensity was analyzed. Method: This cohort study included hospital referred chronic pain patients (n = 45). Short momentary assessment questions according to the experience sampling method (ESM) were used to repeatedly assess patients’ pain intensity, level of fear-avoidance and positive as well as negative affect during their daily life. Linear mixed-effects models were applied in the statistical analysis. Unadjusted and adjusted models were made, in which the latter corrected for statistically significant affective experiences and baseline variables, taking the Aikake Information Criterion into account to assess a better model of fit. Results: The results demonstrated an association between fear-avoidance and pain intensity that differed for men and women. In men (n = 13), no association between these variables was found (−0.04 (95% CI: −0.14, 0.06) with a p-value of 0.48), whereas in women (n = 32), an increase in fear-avoidance was associated with a (slight) increase in pain intensity (0.18 (95% CI 0.06, 0.30) with a p-value of 0.003). Affect did not confound the above-mentioned findings. Conclusion: Our data supports previous research highlighting the importance of sex differences in pain experience. These findings may be relevant for clinicians to consider more personalized (i.e., gender specific) pain management in chronic pain patients.
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Bos FM, von Klipstein L, Emerencia AC, Veermans E, Verhage T, Snippe E, Doornbos B, Hadders-Prins G, Wichers M, Riese H. A Web-Based Application for Personalized Ecological Momentary Assessment in Psychiatric Care: User-Centered Development of the PETRA Application. JMIR Ment Health 2022; 9:e36430. [PMID: 35943762 PMCID: PMC9399881 DOI: 10.2196/36430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Smartphone self-monitoring of mood, symptoms, and contextual factors through ecological momentary assessment (EMA) provides insights into the daily lives of people undergoing psychiatric treatment. Therefore, EMA has the potential to improve their care. To integrate EMA into treatment, a clinical tool that helps clients and clinicians create personalized EMA diaries and interpret the gathered data is needed. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to develop a web-based application for personalized EMA in specialized psychiatric care in close collaboration with all stakeholders (ie, clients, clinicians, researchers, and software developers). METHODS The participants were 52 clients with mood, anxiety, and psychotic disorders and 45 clinicians (psychiatrists, psychologists, and psychiatric nurses). We engaged them in interviews, focus groups, and usability sessions to determine the requirements for an EMA web application and repeatedly obtained feedback on iteratively improved high-fidelity EMA web application prototypes. We used human-centered design principles to determine important requirements for the web application and designed high-fidelity prototypes that were continuously re-evaluated and adapted. RESULTS The iterative development process resulted in Personalized Treatment by Real-time Assessment (PETRA), which is a scientifically grounded web application for the integration of personalized EMA in Dutch clinical care. PETRA includes a decision aid to support clients and clinicians with constructing personalized EMA diaries, an EMA diary item repository, an SMS text message-based diary delivery system, and a feedback module for visualizing the gathered EMA data. PETRA is integrated into electronic health record systems to ensure ease of use and sustainable integration in clinical care and adheres to privacy regulations. CONCLUSIONS PETRA was built to fulfill the needs of clients and clinicians for a user-friendly and personalized EMA tool embedded in routine psychiatric care. PETRA is unique in this codevelopment process, its extensive but user-friendly personalization options, its integration into electronic health record systems, its transdiagnostic focus, and its strong scientific foundation in the design of EMA diaries and feedback. The clinical effectiveness of integrating personalized diaries via PETRA into care requires further research. As such, PETRA paves the way for a systematic investigation of the utility of personalized EMA for routine mental health care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fionneke M Bos
- Rob Giel Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
- Interdisciplinary Center Psychopathology and Emotion Regulation, Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Lino von Klipstein
- Interdisciplinary Center Psychopathology and Emotion Regulation, Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Ando C Emerencia
- Research Support, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Erwin Veermans
- Rob Giel Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Tom Verhage
- Interdisciplinary Center Psychopathology and Emotion Regulation, Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Evelien Snippe
- Interdisciplinary Center Psychopathology and Emotion Regulation, Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | | | - Grietje Hadders-Prins
- Rob Giel Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Marieke Wichers
- Interdisciplinary Center Psychopathology and Emotion Regulation, Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Harriëtte Riese
- Interdisciplinary Center Psychopathology and Emotion Regulation, Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
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An eCoach-Pain for Patients with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain in Interdisciplinary Primary Care: A Feasibility Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182111661. [PMID: 34770177 PMCID: PMC8583019 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182111661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
eHealth could support cost-effective interdisciplinary primary care for patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. This study aims to explore the feasibility of the eCoach-Pain, comprising a tool measuring pain complexity, diaries, pain education sessions, monitoring options, and chat function. Feasibility was evaluated (June–December 2020) by assessing learnability, usability, desirability, adherence to the application, and experiences from patients and general practitioners, practice nurses mental health, and physiotherapists. Six primary healthcare professionals (PHCPs) from two settings participated in the study and recruited 29 patients (72% female, median age 50.0 years (IQR = 24.0)). PHCPs participated in a focus group. Patient data was collected by evaluation questionnaires, individual interviews, and eCoach-Pain-use registration. Patients used the eCoach during the entire treatment phase (on average 107.0 days (IQR = 46.0); 23 patients completed the pain complexity tool and used the educational sessions, and 12 patients the chat function. Patients were satisfied with the eCoach-Pain (median grade 7.0 (IQR = 2.8) on a 0–10 scale) and made some recommendations for better fit with patient-specific complaints. According to PHCPs, the eCoach-Pain is of added value to their treatment, and patients also see treatment benefits. However, the implementation strategy is important for successful use of the eCoach-Pain. It is recommended to improve this strategy and involve a case-manager per patient.
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Daniëls NEM, Hochstenbach LMJ, van Zelst C, van Bokhoven MA, Delespaul PAEG, Beurskens AJHM. Factors That Influence the Use of Electronic Diaries in Health Care: Scoping Review. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2021; 9:e19536. [PMID: 34061036 PMCID: PMC8207255 DOI: 10.2196/19536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A large number of people suffer from psychosocial or physical problems. Adequate strategies to alleviate needs are scarce or lacking. Symptom variation can offer insights into personal profiles of coping and resilience (detailed functional analyses). Hence, diaries are used to report mood and behavior occurring in daily life. To reduce inaccuracies, biases, and noncompliance with paper diaries, a shift to electronic diaries has occurred. Although these diaries are increasingly used in health care, information is lacking about what determines their use. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to map the existing empirical knowledge and gaps concerning factors that influence the use of electronic diaries, defined as repeated recording of psychosocial or physical data lasting at least one week using a smartphone or a computer, in health care. METHODS A scoping review of the literature published between January 2000 and December 2018 was conducted using queries in PubMed and PsycInfo databases. English or Dutch publications based on empirical data about factors that influence the use of electronic diaries for psychosocial or physical purposes in health care were included. Both databases were screened, and findings were summarized using a directed content analysis organized by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). RESULTS Out of 3170 articles, 22 studies were selected for qualitative synthesis. Eleven themes were determined in the CFIR categories of intervention, user characteristics, and process. No information was found for the CFIR categories inner (eg, organizational resources, innovation climate) and outer (eg, external policies and incentives, pressure from competitors) settings. Reminders, attractive designs, tailored and clear data visualizations (intervention), smartphone experience, and intrinsic motivation to change behavior (user characteristics) could influence the use of electronic diaries. During the implementation process, attention should be paid to both theoretical and practical training. CONCLUSIONS Design aspects, user characteristics, and training and instructions determine the use of electronic diaries in health care. It is remarkable that there were no empirical data about factors related to embedding electronic diaries in daily clinical practice. More research is needed to better understand influencing factors for optimal electronic diary use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naomi E M Daniëls
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Laura M J Hochstenbach
- Research Centre for Remote Health Care, Faculty of Health Care, Zuyd University of Applied Sciences, Heerlen, Netherlands
| | - Catherine van Zelst
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Marloes A van Bokhoven
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Philippe A E G Delespaul
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Mondriaan Mental Health Trust, Heerlen/Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Anna J H M Beurskens
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
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