Factors associated with adherence to an e-health ecological momentary assessment protocol in distressed young people.

This item is only available electronically.Background. Monitoring mental-health symptoms in young people informs early interventions and promotes positive long-term health outcomes. One promising e-health methodology that enables such monitoring is Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA), which captures everyday mood fluctuations and other mental-health symptoms in natural settings. However, low adherence rates threaten the efficacy of EMA. This study aimed to explore practically relevant factors that reveal who adheres to EMA protocols and possible reasons why. Methods. Young people (N=130, 16-27 years) were previously recruited from the ReachOut mental-health support website. Of the 65 who commenced a recommended 14-day EMA protocol, 49 (75.4%) responded to this follow-up study. Individual differences of personality and demographics, and two theoretically proposed predictors of adherence – motivational orientation and habit-formation – were examined using a mixed methods approach. Results. Participants in the EMA protocol were younger and reported lower stress and anxiety. The most efficient model (F(9, 36)=2.93, p=.01) explained 42.3% of the variance in adherence to EMA. Identifying with the integrated form of extrinsic motivation and an agreeable personality significantly predicted adherence (B=3.01, p=.009 and B=1.28, p=.029 respectively). Participants indicated that they valued and were interested in the EMA, however, repetitiveness of EMA items and forgetfulness inhibited adherence. Conclusions. The results distinguish who might adhere to and benefit from EMA, although additional research is required to characterise non-adherence. To realise the potential of EMA in managing young people’s mental-health, this study informs e-health design strategies that might improve adherence by bringing attention to aspects of motivational theory.Thesis (B.PsychSc(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 201

Cost and Effort Considerations for the Development of Intervention Studies Using Mobile Health Platforms: Pragmatic Case Study

BackgroundThe research marketplace has seen a flood of open-source or commercial mobile health (mHealth) platforms that can collect and use user data in real time. However, there is a lack of practical literature on how these platforms are developed, integrated into study designs, and adopted, including important information around cost and effort considerations. ObjectiveWe intend to build critical literacy in the clinician-researcher readership into the cost, effort, and processes involved in developing and operationalizing an mHealth platform, focusing on Intui, an mHealth platform that we developed. MethodsWe describe the development of the Intui mHealth platform and general principles of its operationalization across sites. ResultsWe provide a worked example in the form of a case study. Intui was operationalized in the design of a behavioral activation intervention in collaboration with a mental health service provider. We describe the design specifications of the study site, the developed software, and the cost and effort required to build the final product. ConclusionsStudy designs, researcher needs, and technical considerations can impact effort and costs associated with the use of mHealth platforms. Greater transparency from platform developers about the impact of these factors on practical considerations relevant to end users such as clinician-researchers is crucial to increasing critical literacy around mHealth, thereby aiding in the widespread use of these potentially beneficial technologies and building clinician confidence in these tools

Cost and Effort Considerations for the Development of Intervention Studies Using Mobile Health Platforms: Pragmatic Case Study (Preprint)

BACKGROUND The research marketplace has seen a flood of open-source or commercial mobile health (mHealth) platforms that can collect and use user data in real time. However, there is a lack of practical literature on how these platforms are developed, integrated into study designs, and adopted, including important information around cost and effort considerations. OBJECTIVE We intend to build critical literacy in the clinician-researcher readership into the cost, effort, and processes involved in developing and operationalizing an mHealth platform, focusing on Intui, an mHealth platform that we developed. METHODS We describe the development of the Intui mHealth platform and general principles of its operationalization across sites. RESULTS We provide a worked example in the form of a case study. Intui was operationalized in the design of a behavioral activation intervention in collaboration with a mental health service provider. We describe the design specifications of the study site, the developed software, and the cost and effort required to build the final product. CONCLUSIONS Study designs, researcher needs, and technical considerations can impact effort and costs associated with the use of mHealth platforms. Greater transparency from platform developers about the impact of these factors on practical considerations relevant to end users such as clinician-researchers is crucial to increasing critical literacy around mHealth, thereby aiding in the widespread use of these potentially beneficial technologies and building clinician confidence in these tools. </sec

Evolving Adult ADHD Care: Preparatory Evaluation of a Prototype Digital Service Model Innovation for ADHD Care

Background: Given the prevalence of ADHD and the gaps in ADHD care in Australia, this study investigates the critical barriers and driving forces for innovation. It does so by conducting a preparatory evaluation of an ADHD prototype digital service innovation designed to help streamline ADHD care and empower individual self-management. Methods: Semi-structured interviews with ADHD care consumers/participants and practitioners explored their experiences and provided feedback on a mobile self-monitoring app and related service innovations. Interview transcripts were double coded to explore thematic barriers and the enablers for better ADHD care. Results: Fifteen interviews (9 consumers, 6 practitioners) revealed barriers to better ADHD care for consumers (ignorance and prejudice, trust, impatience) and for practitioners (complexity, sustainability). Enablers for consumers included validation/empowerment, privacy, and security frameworks, tailoring, and access. Practitioners highlighted the value of transparency, privacy and security frameworks, streamlined content, connected care between services, and the tailoring of broader metrics. Conclusions: A consumer-centred approach to digital health service innovation, featuring streamlined, private, and secure solutions with enhanced mobile tools proves instrumental in bridging gaps in ADHD care in Australia. These innovations should help to address the gaps in ADHD care in Australia. These innovations should encompass integrated care, targeted treatment outcome data, and additional lifestyle support, whilst recognising the tensions between customised functionalities and streamlined displays

Cost and Effort Considerations for the Development of Intervention Studies Using Mobile Health Platforms: Pragmatic Case Study

Background The research marketplace has seen a flood of open-source or commercial mobile health (mHealth) platforms that can collect and use user data in real time. However, there is a lack of practical literature on how these platforms are developed, integrated into study designs, and adopted, including important information around cost and effort considerations. Objective We intend to build critical literacy in the clinician-researcher readership into the cost, effort, and processes involved in developing and operationalizing an mHealth platform, focusing on Intui, an mHealth platform that we developed. Methods We describe the development of the Intui mHealth platform and general principles of its operationalization across sites. Results We provide a worked example in the form of a case study. Intui was operationalized in the design of a behavioral activation intervention in collaboration with a mental health service provider. We describe the design specifications of the study site, the developed software, and the cost and effort required to build the final product. Conclusions Study designs, researcher needs, and technical considerations can impact effort and costs associated with the use of mHealth platforms. Greater transparency from platform developers about the impact of these factors on practical considerations relevant to end users such as clinician-researchers is crucial to increasing critical literacy around mHealth, thereby aiding in the widespread use of these potentially beneficial technologies and building clinician confidence in these tools. </jats:sec