[DiGA, non-DiGA and realities of practice : A questionnaire study on opportunities and challenges of health apps in the field of mental healthcare].

Abstract

Background: Digitalization in the German healthcare system is advancing. Digital services are increasingly being incorporated into mental healthcare.

Research question: This questionnaire study examined the assessment of professionals working in mental healthcare regarding the opportunities and challenges of digital health services. It takes digital health applications (DiGA) and non-DiGA (apps and web services without reimbursement and governmental regulation) into account.

Method: The online questionnaire included e.g. Likert scales for assessing the success of therapy, the quality of care, the doctor-patient relationship and the willingness to undergo further training. The quantitative questions were supplemented by free text comment fields.

Results: Based on 200 participants the analysis shows that a slight majority do not incorporate digital services into their therapy. The majority of respondents stated that digital services can support prevention and psychoeducation; however, whether they could meet the requirements in other areas of psychotherapy was mostly considered questionable. Challenges were largely seen in the high costs and insufficient information available to practitioners. In addition, the risk of exacerbating health inequalities (e.g., due to insufficient digital literacy) was discussed.

Discussion: It can be concluded that digital services can certainly add value to mental healthcare; however, the sustainable integration into care is linked to improvements in structural conditions (such as the cost-benefit ratio and better information for those providing treatment) as well as consideration and compensation for socially unequal access conditions.