Using a mobile health device to monitor physiological stress for serious mental illness : A qualitative analysis of patient and clinician-related acceptability

Objective: There is growing interest in using mobile health (mHealth) devices to monitor physiological stress associated with mental deterioration. Research is currently examining whether physiological information returned to individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) and their clinicians enhances early intervention. The aim of this study was to explore patient and clinician-related acceptability of an mHealth device to monitor stress for SMI. Method: Individuals with SMI and their clinicians at a community youth mental health service were shown how an mHealth device could be used to monitor stress. Focus groups and interviews regarding the acceptability of the mHealth device were then conducted with participants (N = 22). Content was transcribed and analyzed using an inductive thematic analysis focusing on perceptions of potential benefit, barriers and facilitators of uptake. Results: Six themes were identified. Individuals with SMI and clinicians identified two themes related to benefits of the mHealth device: (a) self-monitoring improves symptom insight and (b) clinician monitoring as a benefit to treatment. They identified one barrier theme: (c) privacy and data misuse concerns. They also identified three facilitators of uptake: (d) ease of use, (e) engaging design and (f) procedural guidelines. Conclusions and Implications for Practice: The perceived benefits of passive physiological monitoring afforded by an mHealth device come with concerns regarding its privacy and the potential for ambiguity in the patient–clinician relationship. Results suggest the importance of codesign to ensure that it is secure, easy to use and engaging. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)