Therapy on Demand: Integrating Digital Mental Health Treatments into Rural and Remote Clinical Practice
Tracks
Room - Stanley A
| Friday, November 10, 2023 |
| 8:30 AM - 8:50 AM |
Overview
Jay Court, This Way Up, The Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression, St Vincent's Hospital
Speaker
Jay Court
Digital Mental Health Engagement Lead
This Way Up, The Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression, St Vincent's Hospital
Therapy on Demand: Integrating Digital Mental Health Treatments into Rural and Remote Clinical Practice
Abstract
Aims:
Digital mental health services are effective and can improve access to evidence-based treatment. This longitudinal phased engagement study aims to evaluate and tailor the integration of an established digital mental health service by clinicians in rural and remote areas.
Methods:
We conducted iterative surveys of rural and remote clinicians registered as THIS WAY UP prescribers and identified by postcode. Fixed and free-text survey questions were used to scope patterns of digital mental health service usage and key barriers to use in these settings.
Results:
380 clinicians responded to the initial survey between Oct-Nov 2020, including General Practitioners (n=129), Psychologists (n=95), other Allied Health (n=108), Nurses (n=38), and Medical Specialists (n=10). The majority of respondents (76%) used THISWAYUP to complement their routine practice, with 50% using it as an adjunct to enhance telehealth or in-person sessions. 77% of clinicians used the service alongside other interventions. Half the cohort (49%) used the service while clients were waiting for other care, demonstrating a clear need and utility of digital mental health treatments in the rural and remote context. Results from the second phase survey will be used to inform ongoing collaborations and development of tailored resources.
Relevance:
The uptake of digital mental health interventions can augment traditional care and overcome barriers to accessible treatment which are compounded in rural and remote areas. These results demonstrate a recognised need for digital mental health services and a strong desire among rural and remote clinicians to use such services to enhance care provision.
Conclusions:
THIS WAY UP is used to facilitate access to timely treatment for patients in rural and remote areas awaiting other care. Unique challenges to integrating digital mental health services in rural and remote settings were identified. Tailored support for the rural and remote clinical workforce is critical to service integration.
Digital mental health services are effective and can improve access to evidence-based treatment. This longitudinal phased engagement study aims to evaluate and tailor the integration of an established digital mental health service by clinicians in rural and remote areas.
Methods:
We conducted iterative surveys of rural and remote clinicians registered as THIS WAY UP prescribers and identified by postcode. Fixed and free-text survey questions were used to scope patterns of digital mental health service usage and key barriers to use in these settings.
Results:
380 clinicians responded to the initial survey between Oct-Nov 2020, including General Practitioners (n=129), Psychologists (n=95), other Allied Health (n=108), Nurses (n=38), and Medical Specialists (n=10). The majority of respondents (76%) used THISWAYUP to complement their routine practice, with 50% using it as an adjunct to enhance telehealth or in-person sessions. 77% of clinicians used the service alongside other interventions. Half the cohort (49%) used the service while clients were waiting for other care, demonstrating a clear need and utility of digital mental health treatments in the rural and remote context. Results from the second phase survey will be used to inform ongoing collaborations and development of tailored resources.
Relevance:
The uptake of digital mental health interventions can augment traditional care and overcome barriers to accessible treatment which are compounded in rural and remote areas. These results demonstrate a recognised need for digital mental health services and a strong desire among rural and remote clinicians to use such services to enhance care provision.
Conclusions:
THIS WAY UP is used to facilitate access to timely treatment for patients in rural and remote areas awaiting other care. Unique challenges to integrating digital mental health services in rural and remote settings were identified. Tailored support for the rural and remote clinical workforce is critical to service integration.
Biography
Jay Court is the Digital Mental Health Engagement Lead at THIS WAY UP, a digital mental health service developed by the Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression, St Vincent's Hospital and the University of NSW. Jay has dual backgrounds in mental health nursing and communications and has been working closely with stakeholders to understand the barriers to timely and appropriate mental health care in rural and remote settings.
