Research Goals
The goals of this research are based on the knowledge that technologies are constantly evolving. Increased incorporation of technology into the medical profession is essential, especially in the mental healthcare field. Better use of technology coupled with greater growth in the field is likely to accrue positive benefits to mental health. Increased need for remote patient self-management is vital in promoting results for mental illness patients. The use of remote services is vital in reducing overreliance on the physical workforce. The automation of this process is beneficial in boosting health and reducing healthcare costs. Decreasing hesitance amongst people who would be opposed or slow to embrace technology, such as the aged, is a crucial component of this research. More people need to be educated about technology and its benefits so that mental health is boosted.
Approach and Purpose
Finding sources for the research involved a process of searching for articles across various databases, including Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct. The keywords searched within the databases include mobile health, mobile health apps, mobile health tracking apps, challenges of mental health apps, and benefits of mental health apps. The keywords revealed many sources with matching titles; afterward, the abstracts were analyzed for the relevance of content. Those whose abstracts were satisfactory were perused to establish greater relevance. This final search provided six sources, with three being in support of the argument and the other three opposing the argument. There are no plans to change the sources for this research or find additional documents to support the arguments proposed.
Tentative Sources
Sources in Support
Huckvale, K., Nicholas, J., Torous, K., & Larsen, M. (2020). Smartphone apps for the treatment of mental health conditions: status and considerations. Current Opinion in Psychology, 36, 65-70.
The research investigated the effectiveness of smartphone apps for alleviating mental illnesses and found the apps effective in eliminating depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. The publication analyzed the use of mobile apps alongside other treatment modalities, ensuring credibility. The relevance of this research is due to its support of the arguments made for mobile apps as it boosts well-being and promotes health. The research is timely as it was conducted in 2020, two years ago during a period when mental illnesses were prevalent. This ensured the hypotheses of the research were tested in the best possible conditions.
Marshall, J. M., Dunstan, D. A., & Bartik, W. (2020). Effectiveness of Using mental health mobile apps as digital antidepressants for reducing anxiety and depression: Protocol for a multiple baseline across-individuals design. JMIR Research Protocols, 9(7), e17159.
The research investigated the effectiveness of five publically available apps in managing mental illness in a group of 50 participants and found them differently effective. The use of a large number of participants deemed sufficient for such a study deems the research credible. Its relevance is promoted by the types of apps used (publicly available and easy-to-use apps). The research also had a baseline group to establish the expected standards of performance for the apps, boosting usefulness. The research supports the research arguments, proving that mental health apps have better outcomes owing to the improved results.
Connolly, S. L., Kuhn, E., Possemato, K., & Torous, J. (2021). Digital Clinics and Mobile Technology Implementation for Mental Health Care. Current Psychiatry Reports, 23(7).
This research investigates the effectiveness of mobile smartphone apps in combating mental illness, and the publication found the apps immensely helpful. The credibility of this research arises from the period it was conducted. It occurred in 2020 when it was difficult to access premium mental healthcare physically. The research also acquires relevance from its integration of these apps into the care centers, boosting practicability. The research is useful in this study as it provides for developing mobile care apps by considering the population of interests and their needs. This study supports the research goal to have more apps developed to ensure more populations, including the elderly who are less receptive, are reached.
Sources Opposing
David, D., Cristea, I., & Hofmann, S. G. (2018). Why cognitive behavioral therapy is the current gold standard of psychotherapy. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 9, 4.
This research argues that cognitive behavioral therapy is the most effective method of handling mental illness and dismisses others. The credibility of this study is aided by the amount of research and data which supports the mentioned claim. The research is relevant because it incorporates a rich catalog of previous studies on the subject. These studies are timely and show the development of cognitive behavioral therapy. The argument of this study, however varies with the research being conducted because there are no arguments that mobile apps are the best. These apps are just in the developmental stages and such a claim is immature at the moment.
Renn, B. N., Hoeft, T. J., Lee, H. S., Bauer, A. M., & AreĂĄn, P. A. (2019). Preference for in-person psychotherapy versus digital psychotherapy options for depression: survey of adults in the U.S. npj Digital Medicine, 2(6).
This research sought to establish that in-person physiotherapy was a better alternative for most patients compared to digital care using apps. The research was conducted amongst the four major races present in America to ensure inclusivity and boost credibility. The research used 164 participants, offering them surveys to fill, therefore improving relevance. The research, however, partly serves to support the research hypothesis for the current study by highlighting difficulties for minority and remote groups to access the apps. This is a clear indication of the challenge and area that needs improvement for mobile health to become effectively embraced.
Firth, J., Minen, M., Torous, J., & Ng, M. M. (2019). User Engagement in Mental Health Apps: A Review of Measurement, Reporting, and Validity. Psychiatric Services, 70(7), 538â544.
The research sought to establish the level of user engagement in mental health apps and discovered this aspect desperately lacking. The research incorporated 40 studies that investigated the use of mobile healthcare apps, boosting credibility. The research also connects an aspect of the current study that needs adequate attention. This is the involvement of all age groups and classes of people, especially those who find it difficult to operate mobile devices or access the services rendered by the applications. The research, however, falters by failing to offer conclusive information on the applications analyzed. This would enable researchers to establish objectivity and link the conclusions with the methods employed.