Are student nurses ready for new technologies in mental health? Mixed-methods study

Area of Science:

• Psychiatric nursing
• Digital health technologies
• Healthcare innovation

Background:

• Technological advancements like EMA, ML, CAT, Digital Phenotyping, CDSS, algorithms, and biomarkers are transforming psychiatric care.
• Student nurses' perspectives on these paradigm shifts are crucial for adoption.
• Assessing the acceptability of smartphone-based EMA, CAT, and biosensor-based Digital Phenotyping among student nurses is key.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore student nurses' views on the paradigm shift in psychiatric care driven by new technologies.
• To assess the acceptability of smartphone-based EMA, CAT, and Digital Phenotyping.
• To identify factors influencing the acceptability of these digital health tools.

Main Methods:

• Quantitative study using the screenplay method with student nurses.
• Exposure to scenarios involving EMA/CAT and connected wristband (CW) for Digital Phenotyping in depression care.
• Evaluation of four acceptability domains: usefulness, usability, reliability, and risk.

Main Results:

• Connected wristbands (CW) were viewed less positively overall than CAT and EMA.
• Respondents doubted the reliability of EMA and CAT for diagnosing depression, but believed CW could detect relapse.
• Over 70% were interested in offering these technologies, yet over 60% feared negative impacts on the therapeutic relationship.

Conclusions:

• This study is the first to assess student nurses' views on EMA, CAT, and CW-based digital phenotyping.
• Student nurses show interest in adopting these technologies but have concerns regarding reliability and the therapeutic relationship.
• Training and involvement of nurses in developing these technologies are essential to address identified issues.