Health professionals' perspective on the promotion of e-mental health apps in the context of maternal depression

Abstract

ObjectiveOur study focuses on exploring (1) the intention of health professionals to use and recommend e-mental health applications, (2) how this intention of health professionals might be influenced, (3) which group of health professionals might be most accessible to promote e-mental health applications for maternal depression, and (4) for which tasks they rate them to be most useful.Materials and methodsBased on a questionnaire informed by the theory of planned behavior, we collected 131 responses of U.S., Spanish, and Swiss health professionals in the field of pregnancy and maternal care (including psychologists, psychiatrists, midwives, and doctors) by means of an online survey. We analyzed the gathered data applying a structured equation model.ResultsOur study reveals that health professionals would in general intend to recommend and use e-mental health applications. However, their attitude towards e-mental health applications varies regarding the respective use cases and also differs among health professions.ConclusionWe offer three alternative propositions for private or public organizations, associations, or any other entity whose purpose is service to the community for introducing e-mental health applications into practice.

Introduction of e-mental health in national health systems – A health professionals' perspective

“…Our study applies an exploratory sequential mixed-method research design [35]. In line with prior research [36], we first collected quantitative data to get a general understanding and to test our hypotheses about behavioral intentions. In this paper we expand the quantitative results by insights obtained from focused interviews to corroborate our previous findings, particularly related to diverging opinions regarding the digitalization of the mental health process [37].…”

Virtual Relationships and Systemic Practices in the Digital Era

“…Whilst the use of ICTs by health professionals has been widely established (Cabieses et al 2013;Bacigalupe 2011), this is not equally the case with mental health professionals, who hesitate to adopt digital communication tools in their work compared with their colleagues in other fields (Sprenger et al 2017). A survey conducted in USA investigated the provision of online treatment by mental health professionals, their concerns and their needs regarding its delivery (Wells et al 2007).…”

“…A recent online survey distributed in Europe and USA among health and mental health professionals working in the field of pregnancy assessed professionals' attitudes towards the use of e-mental practices for the prevention and treatment of maternal depression (Sprenger et al 2017). A total of 131 completed surveys were returned by various health (midwifes, nurses, medical doctors, etc.)…”

“…What additional skills do therapists need in order to effectively provide online treatment, and how much training is necessary? (Sprenger et al 2017;Sucala et al 2012;Gibson et al 2011;Andersson 2009;Childress 2000).…”

The Use of Information and Communication Technologies in Perinatal Depression Screening: A Systematic Review

“…44 Moreover, ICTs could make con-sultations more efficient if screenings completed by the mothers at their homes remotely informed the clinicians of important undesired events, such as an increase in depressive symptoms, without the need to have on-site consultations for such assessments. 45 In fact, health care professionals believe that the use of ICTs in PeD screening has important benefits, such as eliminating language barriers reducing redundancy and human errors, and increasing the client's privacy. 46 This study will review the contributions of ICTs in the field of PeD screening in the past three decades (since 1990).…”