Mental Health Apps: How to Recommend and Review-View Presentation

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Video Summary

The video features a panel discussion on mental health apps, focusing on their evaluation and integration into clinical practice. Dr. Jacques Ambrose introduces the panelists, all experts in psychiatry and digital health, including Dr. Darlene King, Dr. John Liu, Dr. Steve Chan, and Dr. Jay Shore. The discussion begins with an overview of the vast number of mental health apps available and highlights the challenges in assessing their safety and efficacy due to inconsistencies in regulations and evidence. Dr. King presents the APA app evaluation framework, a structured method for clinicians to assess and recommend suitable apps. The framework includes assessing privacy, clinical evidence, and usability, with a focus on the patient's needs. Dr. Chan discusses the potential and current state of the digital health market, noting the various types of digital health technologies and emphasizing the importance of a thorough evaluation of commercial apps. Dr. Liu covers smartphone security, offering tips on managing privacy settings to safeguard personal information. Dr. Shore addresses the interaction of technology with patient care, emphasizing the need for cultural sensitivity and understanding the communication nuances technology introduces in clinical interactions. The session concludes with a Q&A, discussing issues such as app over-saturation and patient education on technology use. Overall, the discussion underscores the promise of digital health tools in psychiatry, while highlighting the careful consideration required in their implementation and patient engagement.

Keywords

mental health apps

clinical practice

psychiatry

digital health

app evaluation

safety and efficacy

APA framework

privacy

usability

smartphone security

cultural sensitivity

patient engagement