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Mental Health Apps (Applications): A Review of Studies Conducted in the UK
- Sasha Bhatty, Divyanish Divyanish, Madhvi Belgamwar, Irangani Mudiyanselage
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- Journal:
- BJPsych Open / Volume 9 / Issue S1 / July 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 07 July 2023, p. S46
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Aims
With advancing technology, there are many online resources available for people with mental health problems. Smartphone software applications are an emerging resource for mental health conditions, for which further research is crucial in understanding its role in the wider community.This study aims to appraise the literature available, surrounding mental health apps (applications) in the UK. Individual applications are studied, for disorders such as Depression, Anxiety, ADHD, Autism and Dementia for patients, carers and clinicians for either assessment or treatment.
MethodsA comprehensive literature search was completed in September 2021, involving the following databases: Cinhal, MEDLINE, Psychinfo, EMBASE, PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane and Nice guidelines. Studies involving multiple apps and non apps technology, duplicate studies studying the same app, apps not targeting assessment or treatment and ones that were not in the English language were omitted. Studies performed on those below 18 years of age and ones based outside of the UK were also excluded.
ResultsA total of 515 articles were identified, out of which 8 apps were deemed eligible as per our inclusion criteria. 4 apps were based on dementia, 3 for depression, out of which 1 was for antenatal depression and 1 for anxiety. It was then analysed whether some apps investigated assessment, treatment or both. 5 apps were used for the treatment of mental health disorders including 1 for both assessment and treatment and 2 focused on the research, still including assessment of mental health disorders.
ConclusionThis review only looked into apps that are currently available to download in the UK and some apps studied are currently in use in NHS mental health trusts.
In general, digital apps could offer the ability to respond quickly and efficiently and can reach people over great distances with minimal mobility requirements, thus, guided by a rigorous evidence-based approach, apps could be the solution to combat large waiting lists in the NHS.
Quality Improvement Project on Improving Patient and Family Experience in Psychiatric Inpatient Unit at Derby (Tissington House)
- Irangani Nawasiya Mudiyanselage, Paul McCormick, Jill Smith, Sasha Bhatty, Emma Dickinson, Tariq Aziz, Avinash Panesar
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- Journal:
- BJPsych Open / Volume 9 / Issue S1 / July 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 07 July 2023, pp. S104-S105
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Aims
Admission to a Psychiatric inpatient unit can be a stressful time for patients and families. Patient's and carers have advised staff on the ward that there is a lack of information available regarding the policies and procedures in the unit. This includes information on ward rounds, leave arrangements and discharge planning. The aim is to enhance the ward-based experience of patients and their families by attempting to explore areas to improved, particularly about providing information that will help them to understand the process of admission to an inpatient Psychiatric as well as what to expect throughout their admission and on discharge.
MethodsA questionnaire was distributed to all the ‘current’ in-patients and their families. The questionnaire was kept anonymous to encourage everyone to contribute honestly. Data were collected from 20 patients admitted to the ward from 01.02.2022 to 30.04.2022. Data were analysed and shared with the rest of the team to identify gaps in provision of information.
ResultsHalf of patients reported not receiving an introduction to the ward on admission and being unaware of the roles of different staff members. 70% of the patients and relatives were aware of the facilities of the ward and how to use them. There was a mixed response about satisfaction with running of Multidisciplinary Team Meetings(MDTs), availability of name nurse and medical team and information provision around MDTs, leave arrangement, discharge planning and follow up.
ConclusionThis quality improvement project has highlighted inconsistencies in the quality of and satisfaction with information provision during admission and has helped to recognised areas that needed to be improved. Several steps have been taken to improve quality of care such as copies of care plan and "Welcome to Tissington" booklet have provided. Discharge pathways and name board displayed in reception. Ward round appointments given to patients in advance and named nurse to support patients in writing MDT meeting plan. Invite families to attend care plan reviews, ward rounds and discharge meeting in person/via online. Additional craft items made available for activity, and exercise and walking groups have been introduced. Additional time made available for carers to speak with ward staff. Recruitment of Psychologist and occupational therapists now in post and Carers meeting to commence.
It is important to repeat this quality improvement project regularly to monitor the progress and get more information from families and patients to improve the quality of care given by the ward.
A study to improve the quality of writing clinic letters to patients attending the outpatient clinic
- Irangani Mudiyanselage, Madhvi Belgamwar
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- Journal:
- BJPsych Open / Volume 7 / Issue S1 / June 2021
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 18 June 2021, p. S211
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Aims
In many countries (including the UK and Australia) it is still common practice for hospital doctors to write letters to patients’ general practitioners (GPs) following outpatient consultations, and for patients to receive copies of these letters. However, experience suggests that hospital doctors who have changed their practice to include writing letters directly to patients have more patient centred consultations and experience smoother handovers with other members of their multidisciplinary teams. (Rayner et al, BMJ 2020)
The aim of the study was to obtain patient's views to improve the quality of clinical letters sent to them, hence the level of communication and standards of care.
MethodAn anonymous questionnaire was designed and posted to collect information from patients attending one of the South County Mental Health outpatient clinic in Derbyshire. 50 random patients were selected between March to November 2020. Patients were asked to provide suggestions to improve the quality of their clinic letters written directly to them and copies sent to their GPs.
ResultOut of 50 patients 48% (n = 24) responded. Majority of patients (92%) expressed their wish to receive their clinic letters written directly to them and 79% preferred to be addressed as a second person in the letters. More than half (54%, N = 13) of them would like to have letter by post. Majority of them (92%, N = 22) wished to have their letter within a week of their consultations.
Patients attending clinics felt that the communication could be better improved through writing clearly: a) reflection of what was discussed during the consultation b) updated diagnosis c) a clear follow-up plan d) current level of support e) medication change f) emergency contact numbers g) actions to be carried out by their GP and further referrals should there be any.
ConclusionPatients in community prefer to have their clinic letters directly addressing them in second person. It was noted that the letters needed to reflect accurately on what was discussed during the consultation in order to have patient centered consultations. This in turn would improve communication and thus rapport, trust and overall therapeutic relationship.
Assessing the compliance of accurately documenting medication history in CAMHS – completion of the audit cycle
- Laura Guest, Irangani Mudiyanselage, Swetangi Ambekar, Sudheer Lankappa
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- Journal:
- BJPsych Open / Volume 7 / Issue S1 / June 2021
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 18 June 2021, p. S27
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Aims
To assess the documentation of medication across all Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) teams in the south region of Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust against a locally agreed protocol. The aim is to ensure accurate and timely documentation of medication history in a standardised way to reduce the risk of medication errors.
MethodWe randomly selected 78 patients across seven teams within CAMHS that were currently prescribed medication as of November 2020. We reviewed each patient to see if medication history had been recorded in the specified section of the trust's patient database PARIS. We then cross referenced this information with the patient notes, clinic letters and prescriptions to review accuracy of information in terms of recording of drug name, dose, frequency, and whether the medication was regular or as required. We compared the data to the results of a previous audit in 2017 which used the same methods.
ResultOf the 78 patients, 74% (n = 58) had medication recorded in the correct section of PARIS compared to 13% in the 2017 audit. We found that compliance varied between different CAMHS teams ranging from 0% to 100%. Of those with medication history recorded, 86% had all drug names listed correctly, 79% had all drugs listed at the correct dose, 71% had the correct frequency recorded and 81% had whether the medication was regular, or PRN recorded.
ConclusionAlthough we have seen improvement in standardised documentation of medication history since 2017, it remains difficult to rely on this information being up to date and reliable. There was a wide range of compliance in documentation of medication history across different teams, possibly reflecting how effectively the teaching following the previous 2017 audit had been delivered to each team. We have completed more teaching for medical and non-medical prescribers across all localities to highlight the importance of timely and standardised documentation. This is particularly important in CAMHS where the prescribing of medication often remains the responsibility of secondary care, with clinicians regularly prescribing on behalf of colleagues from other teams. Our findings support the move within the Trust towards a system where medication can be both documented and electronically prescribed in the same place (System One).
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