Mental Health Therapy Protocols and eHealth Design: Focus Group Study

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry and Mental Health
• Digital Health Interventions
• Therapeutic Practice

Background:

• Electronic health (eHealth) programs often adapt face-to-face therapy protocols.
• Personalization by therapists and patients can impact eHealth intervention effectiveness.
• Understanding user adaptation is crucial for successful eHealth implementation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore personalization practices in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) within youth addiction care.
• To gain insights into how therapists and patients adapt CBT protocols.
• To inform the design of eHealth interventions for better alignment with clinical practice.

Main Methods:

• Focus group discussions with therapists and patients.
• Assessment of protocol adherence, adaptation, and replacement.
• Qualitative thematic analysis of personalization reasons.

Main Results:

• Therapists use protocols as a toolbox, adapting 52% and replacing 22% for alliance and experience.
• Patients personalize therapy to fit daily lives and reduce stress, with 52% adapted and 23% replaced.
• Significant deviation from strict protocol adherence by both therapists and patients.

Conclusions:

• Standard CBT protocols are extensively personalized in practice.
• eHealth designers should study applied protocol parts and co-design with users.
• Collaboration among stakeholders is vital for effective eHealth development and implementation.