Exploring the experiences of mental health professionals engaged in the adoption of mobile health technology in Irish mental health services

Abstract

Background The World Health Organization report that an estimated 793,000 people died by suicide in 2016 globally. The use of digital technology has been found to be beneficial in the delivery of Web-based suicide prevention interventions. Research on the integration of digital technology within mental health services has indicated that despite the proliferation of technology, engagement by patients and professionals in adopting such technology can be poor. Objectives The current study aims to explore the experiences of 15 mental health professionals involved in integrating mobile health technology into their practice. A secondary aim was to identify the drivers and barriers to the adoption of such technology by mental health professionals, and to consider what theoretical models could best account for the data. Methods Semi-structured interviews, conducted from July to October 2019, were used to explore the experiences of mental health professionals engaged in the adoption of mobile health technology within mental health services. Mental Health professionals and clinician managers working in HSE Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Adult Mental Health, and Primary Care Psychology services were recruited for the study. Qualitative interview data was transcribed and analysed using NVivo. Thematic Analysis was used to identify themes. Results Four major themes were identified: Accessibility, ‘Transitional Object’, Integration, and Trust. Within these 4 major themes, a total of 9 subthemes were identified: Service Accessibility, Immediate Access, Client Engagement, Adjunct-to-therapy, Therapeutic Relationship, Infrastructural Support, Enhancing Treatment, Trust in the Technology, Trust in the Organisation. Conclusions Overall, Diffusion of Innovation Theory provides a useful theoretical framework which is consistent with and can adequately account for many of the Major and Subthemes identified in the data. In addition, ‘Transitional Objects’, a key concept within Object Relations Theory, could offer a means of better understanding how patients and professionals engage with digital technology within mental health services particularly.

A systematic review and meta‐analysis of digital interventions targeted at individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD), emotionally unstable personality disorder (EUPD), and related symptoms

“…Further, all identified that being able to access the intervention with increased flexibility due to the online element, was a benefit of this mode of delivery. These reports mirror those commonly identified in the literature from both service user's and practitioner's views on digital mental health interventions (Austin et al, 2020; Bucci et al, 2018; Fernández‐Felipe et al, 2021; Melia et al, 2021). However, it was also noted that while this mode of delivery was helpful to some participants, others found this harder.…”

Health Providers’ Perceptions and Experiences of Using mHealth for Chronic Noncommunicable Diseases: Qualitative Systematic Review and Meta-Synthesis

“…The characteristics of the 24 studies included in this review are described in Table 1. mHealth technologies were applied to assist the management of the following CNCDs: mental diseases (depression, anxiety, epilepsy, or multiple sclerosis; n=9, 38%) [22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30], cancer (n=2, 8%) [31,32], heart failure (n=4, 17%) [33][34][35][36], asthma (n=1, 4%) [37], diabetes (n=2, 8%) [38,39], chronic pain (n=1, 4%) [40], chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (n=1, 4%) [41], and other chronic diseases (n=4, 17%) [42][43][44][45]. The participant sample sizes ranged from 8 to 43.…”

Using a Safety Planning Mobile App to Address Suicidality in Young People Attending Community Mental Health Services in Ireland: Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

“…This protocol is underpinned by the research team's previous research on the experiences of mental health professionals involved in integrating mHealth technology into existing mental health services [21]. The potential benefits of using mobile apps identified by mental health professionals include increased accessibility, increased engagement with young people, and the convenience and feasibility of a client using a mobile app during a crisis [21]. Many of the benefits identified in previous research are consistent with those asserted by mental health professionals in previous research [22].…”

“…However, there is discord in the pattern of increased risk of psychopathology in young people and mental health service use. Clinicians have previously identified the potential benefits of mobile app use in promoting engagement among young people with mental health services [21]. Approximately 64% of adolescents reported using apps to manage their mental health symptoms [27].…”