Clinician's Guide to Evaluating and Developing eHealth Interventions for Mental Health

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Mental Health Technology
• eHealth Interventions

Background:

• Technology-delivered interventions, or eHealth, are increasingly used for mental health and substance use disorders.
• Psychiatrists and mental health professionals need support in recommending and developing these digital tools.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review key information on technology-delivered interventions for mental health and substance use disorders.
• To support clinicians in evaluating and developing eHealth applications.

Main Methods:

• A review of existing literature on the appraisal, development, and evaluation of eHealth interventions.
• Analysis of current models for eHealth intervention development and efficacy evaluation.

Main Results:

• High-level guidance exists for clinicians evaluating eHealth applications.
• Existing eHealth development models lack empirical validation, with limited focus on empirical optimization.
• Evaluation of eHealth efficacy requires understanding both traditional and unique elements.

Conclusions:

• Mental health professionals must approach eHealth with the same rigor as pharmacotherapy and traditional behavioral interventions.
• Familiarity with development and evaluation processes is crucial for effective use of eHealth interventions.
• Skepticism and robust content knowledge are essential when recommending or developing digital mental health tools.