1. Using a mobile phone application in youth mental health - an evaluation study
- Author
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Sophie C, Reid, Sylvia D, Kauer, Angela S, Khor, Stephen J C, Hearps, Lena A, Sanci, Andrew D, Kennedy, and George C, Patton
- Subjects
Male ,Physician-Patient Relations ,Adolescent ,Mental Disorders ,Australia ,Disease Management ,Pediatrics ,Self Care ,Young Adult ,Mental Health ,Humans ,Female ,Medical Informatics Applications ,Cell Phone ,Qualitative Research - Abstract
This study evaluates a mobile phone self monitoring tool designed to assist paediatricians in assessing and managing youth mental health.Patients from an adolescent outpatient clinic monitored mental health symptoms throughout each day for 2-4 weeks. Paediatricians specialising in adolescent health and participants reviewed the collated data displayed online and completed quantitative and qualitative feedback.Forty-seven adolescents and six paediatricians participated. Completion was high, with 91% of entries completed in the first week. Paediatricians found the program helpful for 92% of the participants and understood 88% of their patients' functioning better. Participants reported the data reflected their actual experiences (88%) and was accurate (85%), helpful (65%) and assisted their paediatrician to understand them better (77%). Qualitative results supported these findings.Self monitoring facilitates communication of mental health issues between these paediatricians and patients and is a promising tool for the assessment and management of mental health problems in young people.
- Published
- 2012