Use and Perceptions of Mobile Apps for Patients Among VA Primary Care Mental and Behavioral Health Providers

• Published in: Professional psychology, research and practice research and practice, 2019-06, Vol.50 (3), p.204-209
• Main Authors: Miller, Katherine E., Kuhn, Eric, Yu, Jessica, Owen, Jason E., Jaworski, Beth K., Taylor, Katherine, Blonigen, Daniel M., Possemato, Kyle
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Access; Age differences; Computer Applications; Female; Health behavior; Health Care Psychology; Health problems; Human; Implementation; Innovation; Integrated care; Male; Mental Health; Mental health care; Mobile Devices; Nonuse; Outpatient; Patients; Peer Support; Peers; Perceptions; Primary care; Primary Health Care; Self-Management; Selfmanagement; Sensory Integration; Social Support; Specialists; Veterans
• ISSN: 0735-7028; 1939-1323
• DOI: 10.1037/pro0000229

Mobile apps for mental health concerns are a convenient, potentially effective way for primary care patients to access resources and self-management tools. Providers' perceptions of such apps are critical to their adoption and integration into practice. This study evaluated use and perceptions of apps among Veterans Affairs Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) providers, and identified the challenges with implementation. PCMHI providers were surveyed about their use, perceptions of, and barriers to using apps in their practice with patients. Results indicated that perceptions of apps were favorable. Eighty percent of providers reported recommending or using apps with their patients. Providers viewed apps as providing accessibility to tools and improving patient engagement. Qualitative reasons for nonuse were being unfamiliar with apps and how they could be used in treatment, patients not owning smartphones, and not having time to discuss apps in care. Those who reported using apps had more favorable perceptions of them, reported more comfort using them, and were more likely to use apps for their own health than nonusers (p < .01 to p < .001). Overall, PCMHI providers are using apps across different age cohorts for diverse mental and behavioral health issues and have favorable perceptions of them. Additional implementation efforts may be needed, particularly for app nonusers to become familiar with available apps and how to efficiently use them with patients. Using peer support specialists may be one practical strategy for overcoming identified implementation challenges. Public Significance Statement This study adds to the developing literature documenting the importance of provider perspectives in adopting technology into clinical practices. Primary care providers delivering behavioral and mental health care perceive the use of mobile apps in care as favorable, and acknowledge that apps are beneficial in providing accessibility to tools and improving patient engagement. Despite the benefits, contextual constraints may limit the degree to which apps can be integrated.