A brief course of digitally delivered cognitive behavioural therapy for the treatment of blood contamination-based obsessive-compulsive disorder: a structured case report

Abstract

Abstract The lifetime prevalence of OCD in the UK is estimated to be between 1 in 100 and 1 in every 50 people. It is therefore necessary to explore innovations in practice to expand the reach of the gold standard therapeutic approaches of exposure with response prevention (ERP) and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). The COVID-19 pandemic has facilitated such innovations with several services accommodating changes to routine practice by utilising digital platforms to provide videoconference-delivered therapy. Despite a growing evidence base demonstrating efficacy and scope for the use of videoconference-delivered CBT for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), there remains qualitative research collated from clinicians which suggests that a lack of practitioner confidence and a low belief in positive outcomes are barriers to adopting remote therapy practices for clinicians. Therefore, this structured case report describes the assessment, formulation, intervention and outcome of an 11-week videoconference-delivered therapeutic intervention. Reflections are made regarding the use of the digital platform throughout the intervention, alongside the strengths and difficulties of applying videoconference-delivered CBT for OCD. Key learning aims (1) To illustrate a digital treatment of OCD through flexible application of the current evidence base. (2) To gain an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of delivering digital out-patient CBT for OCD. (3) To consider the utility of structured case reports in routine practice when delivering digital therapy.