Patient-Physician Communication in Depression

Abstract

Optimizing clinical communication between patients and health professionals is a major demand, particularly in mental health; the use of digital media is creating new opportunities in this field. Messaging services can be particularly useful to enhance communication with patients with depression, between consultations, allowing the delivery of supportive messages or reminders. This paper discusses this scenario and describes a four-stage study: (1) a diagnosis of perspectives and practices, (2) a six-week SMS intervention plan, (3) a prototype of a digital application to support patients' follow-up and interaction, (4) and a survey on physicians' digital experience and predisposition to use the prototype. Results underline the potential of using messaging systems to improve communication between health professionals and patients with depression, namely when these systems are part of blended-interventions. Further research is needed, particularly regarding the adjustment of these solutions to specific target groups.