Using Digital Health to Connect Young Adults with Early Psychosis to Treatment-View Recorded Webinar

Video Transcription

Video Summary

In this video, Dr. Benjamin Buck discusses the development of two digital interventions, NORTH and BOLSTER, designed to support young adults at risk for psychosis and their caregivers. The interventions were developed using a user-centered design process, which involved understanding the needs of the end users and conducting usability testing. For the NORTH intervention, young adults expressed a desire for a coping skills toolbox, symptom tracking, and help-seeking information. For the BOLSTER intervention, caregivers expressed a need for tools to support communication, self-guided support for their own wellbeing, and actionable information. The interventions include features such as coping strategies, psychoeducation, communication coaching, and tools for symptom tracking. Usability testing of the interventions showed positive feedback and high ratings for usefulness and enjoyment. The interventions are now being prepared for future randomized trials to determine their feasibility and efficacy. The interventions have the potential to extend the reach of clinical services, provide support at critical moments of treatment engagement, and support intervention homework. Clinicians can play a role in troubleshooting the technology, activating motivation, personalizing the skills, and summarizing the content for their patients. The interventions are scalable and can be provided with minimal required staffing, making them accessible to a wide range of individuals. However, there are currently few available apps specifically for psychosis, and further research is needed to determine their effectiveness and implementation.

Asset Subtitle

Using Digital Health to Connect Young Adults with Early Psychosis to Treatment

Keywords

digital interventions

NORTH

BOLSTER

young adults

caregivers

user-centered design

coping skills

symptom tracking

communication support

usability testing