Implementing a mental health app library in primary care: A feasibility study

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Health Informatics
• Healthcare Technology Implementation

Background:

• Healthcare professionals and patients require guidance for effective use of digital health tools (DHT).
• A DHT library by TherAppX was implemented in 22 institutions in late 2020 to aid DHT integration into clinical practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility of implementing the TherAppX DHT library.
• To assess user experience, changes in DHT recommendation patterns, and implementation barriers/facilitators.

Main Methods:

• A multi-methods approach using secondary quantitative data from TherAppX and semi-structured user interviews.
• Analysis focused on library usage, user feedback, and recommendation frequency changes.

Main Results:

• Quantitative data showed infrequent library use, though interest in DHT utility for follow-ups was confirmed.
• Qualitative findings identified library/user characteristics and the COVID-19 pandemic as significant implementation hindrances.
• A marginally significant increase in DHT recommendation frequency was observed post-implementation.

Conclusions:

• The study identified key areas for improvement in DHT library implementation.
• Further evaluation is recommended, emphasizing the need for optimal conditions for successful future deployments.
• Addressing identified barriers is crucial for maximizing the potential of DHT in healthcare settings.