Interest and readiness for digital mental health in coordinate specialty care for early course psychosis: A survey study of 42 programs in 30 states.

Abstract

As in-person healthcare services become suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for digital technologies to augment early course psychosis care has risen. Although technology offers many benefits including increasing access to care, the advantages of such tools are restricted by their implementation into the program. The goal of this study is to better understand the current usage of technology, clinical needs, and digital literacy in Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) programs. An online survey of CSC staff and clinicians assessed their attitudes, preparedness, and comfort with technology implementation into care. In total, 42 programs from 30 states responded to the web-based survey. Of the six key roles of CSC, the role believed to be most capable for technology to augment was Family Education and Support by 90% (38/42) of participants. Eighty-two per cent (34/42) of clinicians and staff felt that they would benefit from and have interest in receiving digital skills training (41% [17/42] strongly agree, 41% [17/42] agreed). Evaluation of respondent sentiments towards technology revealed that 70 per cent (29/42) ("agree", or "strongly agree") believe that technology can integrate into care easily. Survey responses show overall positive sentiments towards technology implementation in early psychosis care. Findings also reveal that the digital tool would be better sustained if CSC staff and clinicians received digital skills education. This survey demonstrates that technology can augment early psychosis care while improving quality of care and expanding access to care.