The Safety of Digital Mental Health Interventions: Findings and Recommendations From a Qualitative Study Exploring Users' Experiences, Concerns, and Suggestions.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The literature around the safety of digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) is growing. However, the user/patient perspective is still absent from it. Understanding the user/patient perspective can ensure that professionals address issues that are significant to users/patients and help direct future research in the field.

Objective

This qualitative study aims to explore DMHI users' experiences, views, concerns, and suggestions regarding the safety of DMHIs.

Methods

We included individuals aged 18 years old or older, having experience in using a DMHI, and can speak and understand English without the need for a translator. Fifteen individual interviews were conducted. Deductive thematic analysis was used to analyze the data.

Results

The analysis of the interview transcripts yielded 3 main themes: Nonresponse: A Concern, a Risk, and How Users Mitigate It, Symptom Deterioration and Its Management, and Concerns Around Data Privacy and How to Mitigate Them.

Conclusions

The results of this study led to 7 recommendations on how the safety of DMHIs can be improved: provide "easy access" versions of key information, use "approved by..." badges, anticipate and support deterioration, provide real-time feedback, acknowledge the lack of personalization, responsibly manage access, and provide genuine crisis support. These recommendations arose from users' experiences and suggestions. If implemented, these recommendations can improve the safety of DMHIs and enhance users' experience.

SUBMITTER: Taher R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11845877 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature