The promise and the reality: a mental health workforce perspective on technology-enhanced youth mental health service delivery
Files
(Published Version)
Date
2016
Authors
Orlowski, S.
Lawn, S.
Matthews, B.
Venning, A.
Wyld, K.
Jones, G.
Winsall, M.
Antezana, G.
Schrader, G.
Bidargaddi, N.
Editors
Advisors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Type:
Journal article
Citation
BMC Health Services Research, 2016; 16(1):562-1-562-12
Statement of Responsibility
Simone Orlowski, Sharon Lawn, Ben Matthews, Anthony Venning, Kaisha Wyld, Gabrielle Jones, Megan Winsall, Gaston Antezana, Geoffrey Schrader and Niranjan Bidargaddi
Conference Name
Abstract
Background: Digital technologies show promise for reversing poor engagement of youth (16–24 years) with mental health services. In particular, mobile and internet based applications with communication capabilities can augment face-to-face mental health service provision. The literature in this field, however, fails to adequately capture the perspectives of the youth mental health workforce regarding utility and acceptability of technology for this purpose. Methods: This paper describes results of in-depth qualitative data drawn from various stakeholders involved in provision of youth mental health services in one Australian rural region. Data were obtained using focus groups and semi-structured interviews with regional youth mental health clinicians, youth workers and support/management staff (n = 4 focus groups; n = 8 interviews) and analysed via inductive thematic analysis. Results: Results question the acceptability of technology to engage clients within youth mental health services. Six main themes were identified: young people in a digital age, personal connection, power and vulnerability, professional identity, individual factors and organisational legitimacy. Conclusions: These findings deepen the understanding of risks and challenges faced when adopting new technologies in mental healthcare. Recommendations for technology design and implementation in mental health services are made.
School/Discipline
Dissertation Note
Provenance
Description
Published online: 10 October 2016
Access Status
Rights
© 2016 The Author(s). Open Access This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated.