A Mobile Health Intervention to Support Collaborative Decision-Making in Mental Health Care: Development and...

Area of Science:

• Digital mental health
• Human-computer interaction
• Clinical psychology

Background:

• Shared decision-making is vital in mental health care but hindered by a lack of user-centered services.
• Digital tools offer potential solutions, yet implementation is limited and app attrition is high.
• Design thinking can create user-centered digital mental health tools.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and beta-test iTandem, a digital tool for shared decision-making on treatment goals.
• To support individuals with severe mental or substance use disorders in mental health services.

Main Methods:

• User-centered design approach, including qualitative interviews and workshops with service users, clinicians, and a relative.
• Development of the iTandem app with 8 modules based on identified needs.
• Beta testing with 6 service users and 6 clinicians, followed by feedback interviews.

Main Results:

• The iTandem app includes modules for Sleep, Medication, Recovery, Mood, Psychosis, Activity, Substance Use, and Therapy Feedback.
• Service users and clinicians collaboratively selected 2-3 modules for use during treatment sessions.
• Beta testing indicated good reception by service users, emphasizing the importance of implementation facilitation.

Conclusions:

• iTandem and similar digital tools can improve mental health treatment outcomes through enhanced shared decision-making.
• Successful implementation necessitates rigorous testing, iterative development, and evaluation of utility and treatment effects.
• Further research on integrating technology into clinical settings and early health technology assessments is critical.