Loading...
Experiences of a digital mental health intervention from the perspectives of young people recovering from first-episode psychosis : A focus group study
Lal, Shalini Tobin, Ryan Tremblay, Stephanie Gleeson, John F. M. D'Alfonso, Simon Etienne, Geraldine Joober, Ridha Lepage, Martin Álvarez-Jiménez, Mario
Lal, Shalini
Tobin, Ryan
Tremblay, Stephanie
Gleeson, John F. M.
D'Alfonso, Simon
Etienne, Geraldine
Joober, Ridha
Lepage, Martin
Álvarez-Jiménez, Mario
Abstract
Horyzons is a digital health intervention designed to support recovery in young people receiving specialized early intervention services for first-episode psychosis (FEP). Horyzons was developed in Australia and adapted for implementation in Canada based on input from clinicians and patients (Horyzons–Canada Phase 1) and subsequently pilot-tested with 20 young people with FEP (Horyzons–Canada Phase 2). Objective: To understand the experiences of young adults with FEP who participated in the pilot study based on focus group data. Methods: Among the twenty individuals that accessed the intervention, nine participated across four focus groups. Three team members were involved in data management and analysis, informed by a thematic analysis approach. A coding framework was created by adapting the Phase 1 framework to current study objectives, then revised iteratively by applying it to the current data. Once the coding framework was finalized, it was systematically applied to the entire dataset. Results: Four themes were identified: (1) Perceiving Horyzons-Canada as helpful for recovery; (2) Appreciating core intervention components (i.e., peer networking; therapeutic content; moderation) and ease of use; (3) Being unaware of its features; and (4) Expressing concerns, suggestions, and future directions. Conclusions: Horyzons-Canada was well received, with participants wanting it to grow in scale, accessibility, and functionality.
Keywords
psychotic disorders, mental health, telemedicine, young adult, mental health services, e-mental health, virtual care, schizophrenia, Horyzons, digital health innovation
Date
2023
Type
Journal article
Journal
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Book
Volume
20
Issue
9
Page Range
1-15
Article Number
ACU Department
School of Behavioural and Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
Published as ‘gold’ (paid) open access
License
CC BY 4.0
File Access
Open