Use of the Internet and Mobile Phones for Self-Management of Severe Mental Health Problems: Qualitative Study of Staff Views

Abstract

BackgroundResearchers are currently investigating the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of digital health interventions for people who experience severe mental health problems such as psychosis and bipolar disorder. Although the acceptability of digital health interventions for severe mental health problems appears to be relatively high and some people report successfully using the Internet and mobile phones to manage their mental health, the attitudes of mental health care staff toward such approaches have yet to be considered.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to explore mental health care staff experiences of clients with severe mental health problems engaging with the Internet and mobile phones to self-manage their mental health and their views toward these behaviors. The study also sought to examine the opinions expressed by mental health care staff toward digital health interventions for severe mental health problems to identify potential facilitators and barriers to implementation.MethodsFour focus groups were conducted with 20 staff working in mental health care services in the North West of the England using a topic guide. Focus groups involved 12 staff working in secondary care psychological services (7 participants in focus group 1 and 5 participants in focus group 4), 4 staff working in a rehabilitation unit (focus group 2), and 4 staff working in a community mental health team (focus group 3). Focus groups were transcribed verbatim, and transcripts were analyzed thematically to identify key themes that emerged from the data.ResultsFour overarching themes, two with associated subthemes, were identified: (1) staff have conflicting views about the pros and cons of using Web-based resources and digital health interventions to manage mental health; (2) digital health interventions could increase access to mental health support options for severe mental health problems but may perpetuate the digital divide; (3) digital health interventions’ impact on staff roles and responsibilities; and (4) digital health interventions should be used to enhance, not replace, face-to-face support.ConclusionsThis study is the first, to our knowledge, to qualitatively explore the experiences and attitudes of mental health care staff toward individuals with severe mental health problems using the Internet, mobile phones, and digital health interventions to self-manage their mental health. Understanding the positive and negative experiences and views shared by staff toward both current and potential digital health intervention use has enabled the identification of several considerations for implementation. Additionally, the findings suggest mental health care staff need clear guidance and training in relation to their responsibilities in recommending reputable and secure websites, forums, and digital health interventions and in how to manage professional boundaries on the Internet. Overall, the study highlights that digital health interventions could be well received by staff working in mental health services but import...

A qualitative exploration of service user views about using digital health interventions for self-management in severe mental health problems

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“…However, participants were positive about the provision of DHIs to enhance user choice, provide an adjunct to existing options and reduce the number of face-to-face appointments required. A recent analysis of user reviews of apps for bipolar disorder highlighted that users had reported using these apps in conjunction with face-to-face care [52], whilst qualitative studies with staff and people experiencing severe mental health problems stressed the need for continued support during DHI engagement [49,51,[53][54][55]. Therefore, DHIs are seen by service users as a method to enhance face-to-face care, rather than replace existing support.…”

Mobile App Use by Primary Care Patients to Manage Their Depressive Symptoms: Qualitative Study

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Social media and its relationship with mood, self‐esteem and paranoia in psychosis

“…For example, social media can be a helpful coping mechanism to facilitate self‐expression and communication with others with similar experiences and to access motivational content . Clinicians have observed occasions where online communication has been beneficial for clients' with SMI through accessible peer support and ability for anonymous self‐expression . Individuals are amenable to the idea of receiving mental health support via social media websites and have suggested the inclusion of social media components, such as moderated discussion forums, in future interventions .…”