Development of a Web-Based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Intervention to Support Lifestyle Behavior Change and Well-Being in Health Care Staff: Participatory Design Study.

Menna Brown,Ann John,Parisa Eslambolchilar,Nic Hooper

doi:10.2196/22507

Menna Brown, Ann John + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.2196/22507

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Abstract

BackgroundPositive emotional well-being is associated with healthier lifestyle choices and overall health function, whereas poor mental health is associated with significant economic and psychological costs. Thus, the development of effective interventions that improve emotional well-being is crucial to address the worldwide burden of disease.ObjectiveThis study aims to develop a web-based emotional well-being intervention for use by health care staff using participatory design to consider adherence and engagement from a user perspective.MethodsA 3-staged iterative participatory design process was followed, including multiple stakeholders: researchers, computer scientists, mental health experts, and health care staff. Stage 1 used document analyses, direct observation, and welcome interviews; stage 2 used focus group discussions, rapid prototyping, and usability tasks; and stage 3 evaluated a high-fidelity prototype.ResultsDifferent health care staff (N=38) participated during a sustained period. A structured, sequential, automated, 12-week, web-based emotional well-being intervention based on acceptance and commitment therapy was developed. Freely navigated psychoeducational resources were also included.ConclusionsThe iterative and collaborative participatory design process successfully met its objectives. It generated an in-depth understanding of well-being within the workplace and identified barriers to access. The 3-staged process ensured that participants had the opportunity to explore and articulate criteria relevant to their roles over time and reflect on decisions made at each stage.

Highlights

The role and importance of mental health on physical health outcomes, lifestyle behavior, and overall health status has received global recognition [1]
Poor mental health is associated with increased mortality, increased prevalence of physical health conditions, and poorer lifestyle behaviors [2], whereas positive emotional well-being is associated with healthier lifestyle choices and overall better health function [3]
Results are presented per participatory design (PD) stage; in stage 1, document review data are presented only on health board (HB)

Summary

Introduction

Background The role and importance of mental health on physical health outcomes, lifestyle behavior, and overall health status has received global recognition [1]. Poor mental health is associated with increased mortality, increased prevalence of physical health conditions, and poorer lifestyle behaviors [2], whereas positive emotional well-being is associated with healthier lifestyle choices and overall better health function [3]. Economic analysis has suggested that investment in staff well-being will lessen this financial impact https://formative.jmir.org/2020/11/e22507 XSLFO RenderX. The development of effective interventions that improve mental health and emotional well-being is crucial in addressing the disease burden in this population. Positive emotional well-being is associated with healthier lifestyle choices and overall health function, whereas poor mental health is associated with significant economic and psychological costs. The development of effective interventions that improve emotional well-being is crucial to address the worldwide burden of disease

Objectives

Results

Discussion

Conclusion