Abstract
While there are multiple ways in which eHealth interventions such as online modules, apps and virtual reality can improve forensic psychiatry, uptake in practice is low. To overcome this problem, better integration of eHealth in treatment is necessary. In this perspective paper, we describe how the possibilities of eHealth can be connected to the risk-need-responsivity (RNR) model. To account for the risk-principle, stand-alone eHealth interventions might be used to offer more intensive treatment to high-risk offenders. The need-principle can be addressed by connecting novel experience-based interventions such as VR and apps to stable and acute dynamic risk factors. Finally, using and combining personalized interventions is in line with the responsivity-principle. Based on research inside and outside of forensic psychiatry, we conclude that there are many possibilities for eHealth to improve treatment—not just based on RNR, but also on other models. However, there is a pressing need for more development, implementation and evaluation research.
Highlights
Forensic psychiatry is focused on treatment of people who display aggressive or sexual delinquent behavior that led or could lead to offenses and who simultaneously suffer from at least one psychiatric disorder, for example schizophrenia, antisocial personality disorder or post-traumatic stress-disorder [1,2,3]
We describe how the possibilities of eHealth interventions can be connected to the three main principles of the RNR-model to show how eHealth can be better integrated in treatment of offenders
In order to unlock the potential of eHealth in forensic psychiatry, necessary preconditions seem to be that therapists have the necessary knowledge and skills required for using eHealth in a responsive way, and that they have an adaptive and flexible mindset toward experimenting with different technologies [74, 75]
Summary
Specialty section: This article was submitted to Forensic Psychiatry, a section of the journal Frontiers in Psychiatry. While there are multiple ways in which eHealth interventions such as online modules, apps and virtual reality can improve forensic psychiatry, uptake in practice is low. To overcome this problem, better integration of eHealth in treatment is necessary. Better integration of eHealth in treatment is necessary In this perspective paper, we describe how the possibilities of eHealth can be connected to the risk-need-responsivity (RNR) model. Based on research inside and outside of forensic psychiatry, we conclude that there are many possibilities for eHealth to improve treatment—not just based on RNR, and on other models.
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