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Abstract
BackgroundIt has been suggested that improving access to mental health services, supporting self-management, and increasing clinical productivity can be achieved through the delivery of technology-enabled care by personal mobile-based and internet-based services. There is little evidence available about whether working-age and older adults with mental health problems or their caregivers have access to these technologies or their confidence with these technologies.ObjectiveThis study aimed to ascertain the prevalence and range of devices used to access the internet in patients and caregivers attending general and older adult psychiatry outpatient services and their confidence in using these technologies.MethodsWe conducted an anonymous survey of 77 patients and caregivers from a general psychiatry and old age psychiatry clinic to determine rates of internet access and device ownership, and attitudes to technology-enabled care.ResultsWe found high levels of internet access and confidence in using the internet in working-age adults, their caregivers, and older adult caregivers but not in older adult patients. The smartphone usage predominated in working-age adults and their caregivers. Older adult caregivers were more likely to use desktop or laptop computers. In our sample, tablets were the least popular form factor.ConclusionsAccess rates and uptake of internet-based services have the potential to be high in working-age adults and their caregivers but are likely to be markedly lower among older adult patients attending psychiatry clinics. Applications designed for tablets are likely to have low uptake. All groups identified appointment reminders as likely to be beneficial.
Highlights
Access rates and uptake of internet-based services have the potential to be high in working-age adults and their caregivers but are likely to be markedly lower among older adult patients attending psychiatry clinics
It is recognized that the majority of people with mental health problems never seek help [1], current United Kingdom (UK) services are struggling with rising demand in a time of severely constricted resources [2]
At our older adults’ clinic (MATS), in the patient group, 46% (6/13) did not have access to the internet; in this group, all were all aged over 75 years, while the caregiver group at the older adults clinic was aged from 18-24 to >75 years
Summary
It is recognized that the majority of people with mental health problems never seek help [1], current United Kingdom (UK) services are struggling with rising demand in a time of severely constricted resources [2]. One strategy that seeks to address these dilemmas is to improve access to mental health services, support self-management, and increase clinical productivity, through the adoption of technology-enabled care [3]. The situation is more complex; in the United Kingdom, 3 in 10 adults aged 65-74 years, two-thirds of those http://aging.jmir.org/2018/2/e4/. It has been suggested that improving access to mental health services, supporting self-management, and increasing clinical productivity can be achieved through the delivery of technology-enabled care by personal mobile-based and internet-based services. There is little evidence available about whether working-age and older adults with mental health problems or their caregivers have access to these technologies or their confidence with these technologies
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