Proposing a standardized, step-by-step model for creating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related mobile mental health apps in a framework based on technical and medical norms. Issue 1 (1st January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schellong, Julia; Lorenz, Patrick; Weidner, Kerstin
• Is Part Of: European journal of psychotraumatology. Volume 10:Issue 1(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-01-01
• Subjects: PTSD -- mobile mental health -- mHealth -- mMHealth -- medical device -- mobile app -- trauma -- IEC norm -- user-centered-design; TEPT -- salud mental movil -- mHealth -- aparato médico -- aplicación móvil -- trauma -- norma IEC -- diseño centrado en el usuario; 创伤后应激障碍 -- 移动心理健康 -- mHeahlth -- mMHealth -- 医疗装置 -- 移动应用 -- 创伤 -- IEC规范 -- 以用户为中心的设计; Coping with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be flanked by mental health apps. Unfortunately, the quality of design and evaluation of these apps is somewhat lacking. A step-by-step model for the creation of such apps is proposed. Emphasis is put on conforming to medical and technical norms, replicable methods of evaluation and standardizing the design process. This would make apps more testable and comparable, enabling caregivers to make certified recommendations for their use.; Post-traumatic stress disorder -- Periodicals; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Post-traumatic stress disorder; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Periodicals; Fulltext; Internet Resources; Periodicals; 616.8521
• DOI: 10.1080/20008198.2019.1611090
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2000-8198

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Background : Prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a problem all over the world. There are high barriers for entry into formal psychotherapy, which results in a lack of mental health care for a significant part of the population. Mobile mental Health (mMHealth) applications (apps) seem to be a promising new development for countering this lack of care, building on the success of mHealth (Mobile Health) apps in general. Unfortunately, the overall quality of such apps stands in high contrast to their number. The aim of this manuscript is to propose a standard for creating PTSD-related mMHealth apps incorporating a process for evaluation and assessment of their usability and impact. Methods : This is done by first defining each step of the process and its relation to the other steps. The steps themselves, divided into those concerned with development, evaluation and implementation, are bound to the established medical and technical norms pertaining to them. Existing protocols from recent literature have been integrated into these steps. Results : As a result, a comprehensive model covering the process of creating, assessing and implementing an mMHealth app from start to finish was developed. The model may be adapted to other disorders or specialized for certain symptoms of PTSD. Conclusion : Adopting such a model could result in a 'blueprint' for creating mMHealth apps in a standardized way, thereby facilitating the testing and comparing of such apps.