Engagement challenges in digital mental health programs: hybrid approaches and user retention of an online self-knowledge journey in Brazil
Digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) have surged in popularity over the last few years. However, adherence to self-guided interventions remains a major hurdle to overcome. The current study utilized a phased implementation design, incorporating diverse samples and contexts to delve into the e...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2024-09-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Digital Health |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fdgth.2024.1383999/full |
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| author | Felipe Moretti Tiago Bortolini Larissa Hartle Jorge Moll Paulo Mattos Daniel R. Furtado Leonardo Fontenelle Ronald Fischer |
| author_facet | Felipe Moretti Tiago Bortolini Larissa Hartle Jorge Moll Paulo Mattos Daniel R. Furtado Leonardo Fontenelle Ronald Fischer |
| author_sort | Felipe Moretti |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) have surged in popularity over the last few years. However, adherence to self-guided interventions remains a major hurdle to overcome. The current study utilized a phased implementation design, incorporating diverse samples and contexts to delve into the engagement challenges faced by a recently launched online mental health platform in Brazil with self-evaluation forms. Employing an iterative mixed-methods approach, including focus groups, online surveys, and think-aloud protocols, the research aims to evaluate user satisfaction, identify barriers to adherence, and explore potential hybrid solutions. Engagement in the platform was evaluated by descriptive statistics of the number of instruments completed, and qualitative interviews that were interpreted thematically. In the fully self-guided mode, 2,145 individuals registered, but a substantial majority (88.9%) engaged with the platform for only 1 day, and merely 3.3% completed all activities. In another sample of 50 participants were given a choice between online-only or a hybrid experience with face-to-face meetings. 40% of individuals from the hybrid group completed all activities, compared to 8% in the online-only format. Time constraints emerged as a significant barrier to engagement, with suggested improvements including app development, periodic reminders, and meetings with healthcare professionals. While the study identified weaknesses in the number and length of instruments, personalized results stood out as a major strength. Overall, the findings indicate high satisfaction with the mental health platform but underscore the need for improvements, emphasizing the promise of personalized mental health information and acknowledging persistent barriers in a digital-only setting. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5287e5d752e04538bced062626bc2305 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2673-253X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-09-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Digital Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-5287e5d752e04538bced062626bc23052025-08-20T01:54:46ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Digital Health2673-253X2024-09-01610.3389/fdgth.2024.13839991383999Engagement challenges in digital mental health programs: hybrid approaches and user retention of an online self-knowledge journey in BrazilFelipe Moretti0Tiago Bortolini1Larissa Hartle2Jorge Moll3Paulo Mattos4Daniel R. Furtado5Leonardo Fontenelle6Ronald Fischer7Cognitive and Neuroinformatics Unit, D’Or Institute for Research and Education, São Paulo, BrazilCognitive and Neuroinformatics Unit, D’Or Institute for Research and Education, Rio de Janeiro, BrazilCognitive and Neuroinformatics Unit, D’Or Institute for Research and Education, Rio de Janeiro, BrazilNeuroscience Unit, D'Or Institute for Research and Education, Rio de Janeiro, BrazilNeuroscience Unit, D'Or Institute for Research and Education, Rio de Janeiro, BrazilOpen D'Or Unit, D'Or Institute for Research and Education, Rio de Janeiro, BrazilNeuroscience Unit, D'Or Institute for Research and Education, Rio de Janeiro, BrazilCognitive and Neuroinformatics Unit, D’Or Institute for Research and Education, São Paulo, BrazilDigital mental health interventions (DMHIs) have surged in popularity over the last few years. However, adherence to self-guided interventions remains a major hurdle to overcome. The current study utilized a phased implementation design, incorporating diverse samples and contexts to delve into the engagement challenges faced by a recently launched online mental health platform in Brazil with self-evaluation forms. Employing an iterative mixed-methods approach, including focus groups, online surveys, and think-aloud protocols, the research aims to evaluate user satisfaction, identify barriers to adherence, and explore potential hybrid solutions. Engagement in the platform was evaluated by descriptive statistics of the number of instruments completed, and qualitative interviews that were interpreted thematically. In the fully self-guided mode, 2,145 individuals registered, but a substantial majority (88.9%) engaged with the platform for only 1 day, and merely 3.3% completed all activities. In another sample of 50 participants were given a choice between online-only or a hybrid experience with face-to-face meetings. 40% of individuals from the hybrid group completed all activities, compared to 8% in the online-only format. Time constraints emerged as a significant barrier to engagement, with suggested improvements including app development, periodic reminders, and meetings with healthcare professionals. While the study identified weaknesses in the number and length of instruments, personalized results stood out as a major strength. Overall, the findings indicate high satisfaction with the mental health platform but underscore the need for improvements, emphasizing the promise of personalized mental health information and acknowledging persistent barriers in a digital-only setting.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fdgth.2024.1383999/fullmental healthmental telehealthself-knowledgeself-caretelepsychiatry |
| spellingShingle | Felipe Moretti Tiago Bortolini Larissa Hartle Jorge Moll Paulo Mattos Daniel R. Furtado Leonardo Fontenelle Ronald Fischer Engagement challenges in digital mental health programs: hybrid approaches and user retention of an online self-knowledge journey in Brazil Frontiers in Digital Health mental health mental telehealth self-knowledge self-care telepsychiatry |
| title | Engagement challenges in digital mental health programs: hybrid approaches and user retention of an online self-knowledge journey in Brazil |
| title_full | Engagement challenges in digital mental health programs: hybrid approaches and user retention of an online self-knowledge journey in Brazil |
| title_fullStr | Engagement challenges in digital mental health programs: hybrid approaches and user retention of an online self-knowledge journey in Brazil |
| title_full_unstemmed | Engagement challenges in digital mental health programs: hybrid approaches and user retention of an online self-knowledge journey in Brazil |
| title_short | Engagement challenges in digital mental health programs: hybrid approaches and user retention of an online self-knowledge journey in Brazil |
| title_sort | engagement challenges in digital mental health programs hybrid approaches and user retention of an online self knowledge journey in brazil |
| topic | mental health mental telehealth self-knowledge self-care telepsychiatry |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fdgth.2024.1383999/full |
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