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Using a mobile phone application in youth mental health - an evaluation study
Sophie C Reid1, Sylvia D Kauer, Angela S Khor
1Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. sophie.reid@mcri.edu.au
Background:
This study evaluates a mobile phone self monitoring tool designed to assist paediatricians in assessing and managing youth mental health.
Methods:
Patients from an adolescent outpatient clinic monitored mental health symptoms throughout each day for 2-4 weeks. Paediatricians specialising in adolescent health and participants reviewed the collated data displayed online and completed quantitative and qualitative feedback.
Results:
Forty-seven adolescents and six paediatricians participated. Completion was high, with 91% of entries completed in the first week. Paediatricians found the program helpful for 92% of the participants and understood 88% of their patients' functioning better. Participants reported the data reflected their actual experiences (88%) and was accurate (85%), helpful (65%) and assisted their paediatrician to understand them better (77%). Qualitative results supported these findings.
Discussion:
Self monitoring facilitates communication of mental health issues between these paediatricians and patients and is a promising tool for the assessment and management of mental health problems in young people.