Optimising the PTSD Hub App Through Co-Production: Enhancing Digital Support for PTSD Management in Primary Care.

Area of Science:

• Digital mental health interventions
• Primary care research
• Co-production in healthcare

Background:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects 5% of the population, often underdiagnosed in primary care.
• The COVID-19 pandemic increased PTSD incidence, highlighting the need for accessible mental health support.
• Limited access to trauma-focused therapies necessitates alternative primary care strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To optimize the PTSD Hub app through co-production for primary care settings.
• To enhance app usability, clinician engagement, and patient outcomes for PTSD management.
• To integrate digital tools for improved PTSD identification and support within primary care.

Main Methods:

• Co-production approach involving individuals with lived experience of PTSD, carers, and primary care professionals.
• Two Nominal Group Technique workshops to identify barriers and prioritize app features for primary care.
• Online workshops facilitated to gather insights for enhancing the PTSD Hub app.

Main Results:

• Key barriers to PTSD care identified: stigma, clinician time, and therapy access.
• Proposed solutions include improved symptom tracking and customization features.
• Enhanced clinician awareness and app integration strategies were prioritized.

Conclusions:

• The PTSD Hub app shows potential for improving PTSD management in primary care.
• Co-production is vital for developing effective digital mental health tools.
• Further research is needed to evaluate the app's real-world effectiveness in primary care settings.