eprintid: 6783
rev_number: 4
userid: 6
dir: disk0/00/00/67/83
datestamp: 2011-11-10 19:34:29
lastmod: 2016-11-15 13:38:32
status_changed: 2011-11-10 19:34:29
type: thesis_degree
metadata_visibility: show
contact_email: michaelsusick@gmail.com
item_issues_count: 0
eprint_status: archive
creators_name: Susick, Michael
creators_email: michaelsusick@gmail.com
title: Application of Smartphone Technology in the Management and Treatment of Mental Illnesses
ispublished: unpub
divisions: sch_gsph_behavioralcommhealthsci
full_text_status: public
keywords: ; Android; Apps; Blackberry; cell phone; handheld computer; iPhone; mental health; Mental Illness; mHealth; mobile device; PDA; public health; smartphone; Telehealth; Telemental Health
abstract: Abstract: Background: Mental illness continues to be a significant Public Health problem and the innovative use of technology to improve the treatment of mental illnesses holds great public health relevance. Over the past decade telecommunications technology has been used to increase access to and improve the quality of mental health care. There is current evidence that the use of landline and cellular telephones, computer-assisted therapy, and videoconferencing can be effective in improving treatment outcomes. Smartphones, as the newest development in communications technology, offer a new opportunity to improve mental health care through their versatile nature to perform a variety of functions. Methods: A critical literature review was performed to examine the potential of smartphones to increase access to mental health care, reduce barriers to care, and improve patient treatment outcomes. The review was performed by searching several electronic databases using a combination of keywords related to smartphones and mental health interventions using mobile devices. Literature concerning the use of cell phones, handheld computers, and smartphones to improve access to mental health care and improve treatment outcomes was identified.Results: The majority of studies identified were feasibility and pilot studies on patients with a variety of diagnosed mental illnesses using cell phones and PDAs. Authors report that most study participants, with some exceptions, were capable of using a mobile device and found them acceptable to use. Few studies extensively measured treatment outcomes and instead reported preliminary results and presented case illustrations. Studies which used smartphones successfully used them collect data on patients and deliver multimedia interventions. Discussion: The current literature offers encouraging evidence for the use of smartphones to improve mental health care but also reflects the lack of research conducted using smartphones. Studies which examine care provider use of smartphones to improve care is encouraging but has limited generalizability to mental health care. The feasibility of patient use of smartphones is also encouraging, but questions remain about feasibility in some sub-populations, particularly schizophrenia patients. Pilot testing of mobile devices and applications can greatly increase the feasibility of using smartphones in mental health care. Patients who are unfamiliar with smartphones will likely need initial training and support in their use. Conclusion: The literature identified several ways in which smartphones can increase access to care, reduce barriers, and improve treatment outcomes. Study results were encouraging but scientifically weak. Future studies are needed replicating results of studies using cell phones and PDAs on smartphones. Larger and higher quality studies are needed to examine the feasibility, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness of smartphones to deliver multiple component interventions that improve access to mental health care and improve treatment outcomes.
date: 2011-06-29
date_type: completed
institution: University of Pittsburgh
refereed: TRUE
etdcommittee_type: committee_chair
etdcommittee_type: committee_member
etdcommittee_type: committee_member
etdcommittee_name: Ricci, Edmund
etdcommittee_name: Nolan, Beth
etdcommittee_name: Barron, Gerald
etdcommittee_email: emricci@pitt.edu
etdcommittee_email: nolanbeth@gmail.com
etdcommittee_email: gbarron@pitt,edu
etdcommittee_id: EMRICCI
etdcommittee_id: 
etdcommittee_id: 
etd_defense_date: 2011-04-12
etd_approval_date: 2011-06-29
etd_submission_date: 2011-04-05
etd_access_restriction: immediate
etd_patent_pending: FALSE
assigned_doi: doi:10.5195/pitt.etd.2011.6783
thesis_type: thesis
degree: MPH
committee: Edmund Ricci (emricci@pitt.edu) - Committee Chair
committee: Beth Nolan (nolanbeth@gmail.com) - Committee Member
committee: Mr. Gerald Barron (gbarron@pitt,edu) - Committee Member
etdurn: etd-04052011-003504
other_id: http://etd.library.pitt.edu/ETD/available/etd-04052011-003504/
other_id: etd-04052011-003504
citation:   Susick, Michael  (2011) Application of Smartphone Technology in the Management and Treatment of Mental Illnesses.  Master's Thesis, University of Pittsburgh.    (Unpublished)  
document_url: http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/6783/1/FinalThesisMichaelSusick42811.pdf