Users’ experiences of an online intervention for Bipolar Disorder: important lessons for design and evaluation

Background: The evidence-base for digital interventions for physical and mental health, including severe and enduring mental health difficulties, is increasing. In a feasibility trial, web-based Enhanced Relapse Prevention (ERPonline) for bipolar disorder demonstrated high recruitment and retention...

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Main Authors: Dodd, Alyson L., Mallinson, Sara, Griffiths, Martin, Morriss, Richard, Jones, Steven H., Lobban, Fiona
Format: Article
Published: BMJ Publishing Group 2017
Online Access:https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/46036/
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author Dodd, Alyson L.
Mallinson, Sara
Griffiths, Martin
Morriss, Richard
Jones, Steven H.
Lobban, Fiona
author_facet Dodd, Alyson L.
Mallinson, Sara
Griffiths, Martin
Morriss, Richard
Jones, Steven H.
Lobban, Fiona
author_sort Dodd, Alyson L.
building Nottingham Research Data Repository
collection Online Access
description Background: The evidence-base for digital interventions for physical and mental health, including severe and enduring mental health difficulties, is increasing. In a feasibility trial, web-based Enhanced Relapse Prevention (ERPonline) for bipolar disorder demonstrated high recruitment and retention rates. Relative to participants in the waitlist control group, those who received ERPonline showed increased monitoring for early warning signs of relapse and had developed more positive illness models. Objective: To understand users’ motivations and barriers for taking part in an online/telephone-based trial, and for engagement with ERPonline. Methods: Participants from the trial who had been allocated to receive ERPonline were purposively sampled to participate in telephone-based, in-depth qualitative interviews about their experiences. Interviews (n = 19) were analysed using framework analysis to identify themes relevant to study aims. Findings: Participants took part due to the convenient, flexible, and rewarding aspects of the trial design, as well as a desire to improve the mental health of themselves and others. Barriers included extensive assessments, practical difficulties, and mood. ERPonline was was generally considered to be accessible, relevant and straightforward, but there were individual preferences regarding design, content, and who it was for. Several participants reported positive changes, but there was a sense that digital interventions should not replace routine care. Conclusions: There are a number of barriers and facilitators to consider when evaluating and implementing digital interventions. Individual preferences and human contact were key factors for both trial design and engagement with an online intervention. Clinical Implications: Digital interventions should be co-produced, personalised, interactive, and embedded as one component in a broader package of care.
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spelling nottingham-460362020-05-04T19:15:32Z https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/46036/ Users’ experiences of an online intervention for Bipolar Disorder: important lessons for design and evaluation Dodd, Alyson L. Mallinson, Sara Griffiths, Martin Morriss, Richard Jones, Steven H. Lobban, Fiona Background: The evidence-base for digital interventions for physical and mental health, including severe and enduring mental health difficulties, is increasing. In a feasibility trial, web-based Enhanced Relapse Prevention (ERPonline) for bipolar disorder demonstrated high recruitment and retention rates. Relative to participants in the waitlist control group, those who received ERPonline showed increased monitoring for early warning signs of relapse and had developed more positive illness models. Objective: To understand users’ motivations and barriers for taking part in an online/telephone-based trial, and for engagement with ERPonline. Methods: Participants from the trial who had been allocated to receive ERPonline were purposively sampled to participate in telephone-based, in-depth qualitative interviews about their experiences. Interviews (n = 19) were analysed using framework analysis to identify themes relevant to study aims. Findings: Participants took part due to the convenient, flexible, and rewarding aspects of the trial design, as well as a desire to improve the mental health of themselves and others. Barriers included extensive assessments, practical difficulties, and mood. ERPonline was was generally considered to be accessible, relevant and straightforward, but there were individual preferences regarding design, content, and who it was for. Several participants reported positive changes, but there was a sense that digital interventions should not replace routine care. Conclusions: There are a number of barriers and facilitators to consider when evaluating and implementing digital interventions. Individual preferences and human contact were key factors for both trial design and engagement with an online intervention. Clinical Implications: Digital interventions should be co-produced, personalised, interactive, and embedded as one component in a broader package of care. BMJ Publishing Group 2017-11-01 Article PeerReviewed Dodd, Alyson L., Mallinson, Sara, Griffiths, Martin, Morriss, Richard, Jones, Steven H. and Lobban, Fiona (2017) Users’ experiences of an online intervention for Bipolar Disorder: important lessons for design and evaluation. Evidence Based Mental Health, 20 (4). pp. 133-139. ISSN 1362-0347 http://ebmh.bmj.com/content/20/4/133
spellingShingle Dodd, Alyson L.
Mallinson, Sara
Griffiths, Martin
Morriss, Richard
Jones, Steven H.
Lobban, Fiona
Users’ experiences of an online intervention for Bipolar Disorder: important lessons for design and evaluation
title Users’ experiences of an online intervention for Bipolar Disorder: important lessons for design and evaluation
title_full Users’ experiences of an online intervention for Bipolar Disorder: important lessons for design and evaluation
title_fullStr Users’ experiences of an online intervention for Bipolar Disorder: important lessons for design and evaluation
title_full_unstemmed Users’ experiences of an online intervention for Bipolar Disorder: important lessons for design and evaluation
title_short Users’ experiences of an online intervention for Bipolar Disorder: important lessons for design and evaluation
title_sort users’ experiences of an online intervention for bipolar disorder: important lessons for design and evaluation
url https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/46036/
https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/46036/