Applicability of acceptance and commitment therapy-based mobile app in depression nursing.

Area of Science:

• Mental Health
• Digital Health
• Nursing Education

Background:

• High burden of depression necessitates innovative mental healthcare models.
• Technology tools, like mobile apps, show promise in self-help and integrated psychological treatment.
• Healthcare professionals need to be familiar with evidence-based digital tools for client guidance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore nurses' perceptions of an acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)-based mobile app as a self-management tool.
• To investigate potential applications of the app in depression prevention and treatment.
• To understand how integrating such technology into nursing education impacts clinical practice adoption.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative content analysis of semistructured focus group interviews.
• Sixteen Finnish nurses in depression nurse specialist education participated.
• Nurses used the ACT-based mobile app for five weeks prior to interviews.

Main Results:

• Nurses generally perceived the app as a suitable self-management tool.
• Three distinct models for clinical application of the app were identified.
• Nurses expressed eagerness to use the app with diverse client groups, particularly in occupational health settings.

Conclusions:

• Involving technology tools in nursing education can ease their adoption in clinical practice.
• The app shows potential for depression prevention and mental health treatment, with considerations for specific client groups.
• Professional support for app use should be tailored to the client's mental health condition severity.