MENTAL HEALTH BY APP
This qualitative study describes some common misconceptions that clinicians may have about their patients using Smartphone apps for mental health care. First, providers should resist assuming that older patients are not interested in incorporating mental health apps into their care. Clinicians should note, however, that smaller typeface and a touchscreen format may prove challenging or prohibitive for older patients with declining vision and dexterity. Second, many mental health apps can serve as helpful tools for those not receiving face-to-face mental health care. Patients may believe that mental health apps are an impersonal replacement for personal time with a therapist, but apps can serve as platforms to log thoughts, track symptoms, or receive psychoeducation between sessions. Finally, it is essential for patients to be fully informed on the extent of privacy provided by apps and the potential risks of logging personal information in an electronic format.
|
|