Attitude and Perceptions of Technology Enabled Mental Health Care for Supporting Occupational Mental Health and Well Being Among Doctors in India.

Abstract

Introduction: Globally, the mental healthcare system faces significant challenges, including delays in service delivery, limited access, and fragmented services with an unmatched supply and need. The importance of mental health support for doctors is often overlooked, impacting patient care and leading to burnout. Mental health apps and smartphone mindfulness applications show promise in treating depression and reducing stress. Doctors are ideal candidates for studying the acceptance of digital mental health tools.

Methodology: A qualitative study involving in-depth interviews with 20 doctors from the Department of Community Medicine, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India. The selection was purposive, based on their willingness to participate and their varying types of experience (academics and program implementation) in public health.

Results: Four themes emerged: Attitudes toward mental health and well-being, attitudes toward nonmental health technology, personal and professional life, and coping and support mechanisms.

Conclusion: Participants emphasized the importance of mental health and well-being but noted unmet needs and inadequate support. Limited personalized care with technology was a challenge, despite the benefits of digital healthcare. Communication and ease of connection were advantages, but privacy and confidentiality were concerns.