Mental Health Technology Landscape Review

Mental Health Tech Landscape Review
Future Care Capital 12 July 2021

• This research explores the tech startups deploying solutions for the mental health care market. We describe the technologies contributing to the solutions as well as specific implementations, and the benefits they bring to citizens and the mental health care workforce. The research identified 56 technology companies developing solutions for the mental healthcare technology market. The technologies include active monitoring, talking therapy, non-talking therapy and productivity tools.

Risk Stratification for Mental Health Outcomes

Risk Stratification for Mental Health Outcomes
West of England AHSN Evidence Repository 22 June 2021 [Registration required]

• An evidence review to support the work of the Population Health Management Delivery Group within Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group. The review noted a lack of well-validated risk stratification tools that are used for mental health. Papers discussing prediction and risk stratification were identified for the following outcomes were identified: Anxiety secondary to breast cancer; Major Depressive Disorder; Non-specific outcomes e.g. “at risk” designation.

Experience of children and young people cared for in mental health, learning disability and autism inpatient settings - a review

Experience of children and young people cared for in mental health, learning disability and autism inpatient settings
NIHR Themed Review 9 June 2021 doi: 10.3310/themedreview_46186

• This Themed Review explores the experience of young people with mental health problems, learning disability or autism in specialist inpatient mental health care. It asks three key questions about young people’s inpatient experience:
• What are the key influences?
• What is the best way to gain insight?
• How can new understanding be used to improve inpatient care?

Cost-effectiveness of the Adaptive Implementation of Effective Programs Trial (ADEPT): approaches to adopting implementation strategies.

Cost-effectiveness of the Adaptive Implementation of Effective Programs Trial (ADEPT): approaches to adopting implementation strategies.
Implementation Sci 15, 109 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13012-020-01069-w

• A cost-effectiveness analysis to identify the most cost-effective approach to deploying implementation strategies to enhance the uptake of Life Goals, a mental health EBP.

Mental health Surge Model

Mental Health Surge Model
The Strategy Unit November 2020

• The Strategy Unit has produced a model to help local services plan their response to the impact of the pandemic on the nation’s mental health.. Using this model, they estimate that:
• There will be around 11% more new referrals to mental health services, each year for the next three years; and
• Associated costs amount to an extra £1 billion a year. This is around 8% of annual NHS expenditure on mental health services.
• Includes a web-based interactive version of the model

A Machine Learning Approach to Understanding Patterns of Engagement With Internet-Delivered Mental Health Interventions

A Machine Learning Approach to Understanding Patterns of Engagement With Internet-Delivered Mental Health Interventions
JAMA Netw Open. 17 July 2020;3(7):e2010791. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.10791

• Question Can machine learning techniques be used to identify heterogeneity in patient engagement with internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy for symptoms of depression and anxiety?
• Findings In this cohort study using data from 54 604 individuals, 5 heterogeneous subtypes were identified based on patient engagement with the online intervention. These subtypes were associated with different patterns of patient behavior and different levels of improvement in symptoms of depression and anxiety.
• Meaning The findings of this study suggest that patterns of patient behavior may elucidate different modalities of engagement, which can help to conduct better triage for patients to provide personalized therapeutic activities, helping to improve outcomes and reduce the overall burden of mental health disorders.

Determinants of and barriers to adoption of digital therapeutics for mental health at scale in the NHS

Determinants of and barriers to adoption of digital therapeutics for mental health at scale in the NHS
BMJ Innovations 2020;6:92-98

• A study of English health commissioners experiences found that common determinants and barriers  to adoption of digital mental health  include commissioners’ lack of familiarity with technology, information governance, digital literacy of users and decision-makers.

Abstract

Engaging Children and Young People in Digital Mental Health Interventions: Systematic Review

Engaging Children and Young People in Digital Mental Health Interventions: Systematic Review of Modes of Delivery, Facilitators, and Barriers
J Med Internet Res 2020;22(6):e16317 DOI: 10.2196/16317

• This study identified 6 modes of delivery used in CYP digital mental health interventions (1) websites, (2) games and computer-assisted programs, (3) apps, (4) robots and digital devices, (5) virtual reality, and (6) mobile text messaging. 
• The literature highlighted that CYP prefer digital health interventions with features such as videos, limited text, ability to personalize, ability to connect with others, and options to receive text message reminders.

ABSTRACT

Spotlight on... The impact of COVID-19 on mental health trusts in the NHS

Spotlight on... The impact of COVID-19 on mental health trusts in the NHS
NHS Providers 3 June 2020

• This briefing sets out the immediate challenge of COVID-19 for mental health trusts, how the sector has responded and what is needed to navigate the next phase.

A Step-by-Step Toolkit for Getting Telepsychiatry Ready, Set & Go

A Step-by-Step Toolkit for Getting Telepsychiatry Ready, Set & Go
CWTCH: Connecting with Telehealth to Communities and Hospitals in Healthcare

• The CWTCH (Connecting with Telehealth to Communities and Hospitals in Healthcare) project was funded by the Health Foundation to implement telepsychiatry in the CAMHS in Gwent, South Wales. The initial pilot in Aneurin Bevan UHB offered young people who self-harm, or who live with an eating disorder, the option of remote assessment through a virtual online clinic, in the company of family members.
• The Toolkit is intended to provide a systematic way of approaching telepsychiatry, regardless of the video consultation platform used, in order to overcome potential barriers and enable successful implementation in the mental health setting in the United Kingdom. The purpose of this toolkit is to support mental health professionals to implement telepsychiatry in their own settings.

Determinants of and barriers to adoption of digital therapeutics for mental health at scale in the NHS

Determinants of and barriers to adoption of digital therapeutics for mental health at scale in the NHS
BMJ Innovations 07 May 2020. doi: 10.1136/bmjinnov-2019-000384

• This study explores English health commissioners’ experiences of, and attitudes towards, adopting digital healthcare innovations.

Abstract:

Review of Current Use of Digital Solutions for Mental Health

Review of Current Use of Digital Solutions for Mental Health
Digital Health & Care Institute April 2020

• This review has identified a number of digital tools, platforms or applications currently in use in health and care services across England and Scotland to support the better management of mental health.
• Current digital solutions tend to have common functionalities and focus. These include; Information and signposting services; Improved communication and remote access (including video consultation); On-line and telephone-based self-help tools; On-line forums and support groups (with or without professional input); Self-management apps; and E-therapy programmes.

Multidisciplinary research priorities for the COVID-19 pandemic: a call for action for mental health science

Multidisciplinary research priorities for the COVID-19 pandemic: a call for action for mental health science
Lancet Psychiatry 15 April 2020 https://doi.org/10.1016/ S2215-0366(20)30168-1

• This Position Paper summarises the priorities put forward by an interdisciplinary group of 24 world-leading experts, and explores the psychological, social, and neuroscientific effects of COVID-19 and set out the immediate priorities and longer-term strategies for mental health science research.
• “There is an urgent need for research to address how mental health consequences for vulnerable groups can be mitigated under pandemic conditions, and on the impact of repeated media consumption and health messaging around COVID-19.”

Racial disparities in mental health

Racial disparities in mental health: Literature and evidence review
Race Equality Foundation 13 March 2020

• This analysis of the persistent racial disparities in mental health draws on published research and insights from two events and conversations across the sector. The report covers Prevalence, Access, Assessment, Treatment and Recovery and outlines actions for commissioners which could help to address the disparities.

Longitudinal examination of youth readmission to mental health inpatient units

Longitudinal examination of youth readmission to mental health inpatient units
Child and Adolescent Mental Health 3 March 2020 https://doi.org/10.1111/camh.12371

• Data from the New Brunswick Discharge Abstract Database was used identify predictors of readmission by children and adolescents to inpatient psychiatric services in New Brunswick, Canada.
• Notable predictors of increased readmission likelihood were older age, being male, higher socioeconomic status, referral to care by medical practitioner, discharge to another health facility, psychosis, and previous psychiatric admission.

Abstract

In deprived areas, patients referred for psychological therapy are less likely to receive treatment

In deprived areas, patients referred for psychological therapy are less likely to receive treatment [Infographic]
Health Foundation January 2020

• Analysis of publicly available data indicates that referrals to IAPT services from patients in deprived areas are less likely to receive a course of treatment than those in wealthier areas.

Determinants of mental health

Determinants of mental health
Commission for Equality in Mental Health Briefing 1, 21 January 2020

• This briefing finds that mental health inequalities are closely linked to wider injustices in society and explores actions that can be taken, from communities and local services to national policies, to reduce mental health inequalities. They include action to reduce income inequality, housing insecurity and poor working conditions as well as changes to education and the provision of early years support to families.

Special Report: Mental Health

Special Report: Mental Health
Digital Health December 2019

• Can patient-facing apps can be used to support earlier and more appropriate intervention in the event of mental ill health?
• Discussion of a Mood Diary app (Servelec) which will link to electronic clinical records and Management and Supervision Tool (MaST).

Trust and telecoms giant may use patient phone data to predict crises

Trust and telecoms giant may use patient phone data to predict crises
HSJ 22 November 2019 [Subscription required]

• Telefonica, which owns mobile firm O2, is working with Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Trust to see whether using call records, location information and other forms of “mobile network data” can be used to flag people about to go into crisis.
• In a pilot project the project team used anonymised historical health records to build an algorithm that aims to flag patients at risk of crisis. This “phase one” algorithm did not use mobile network data.

Mental health apps - MaST

Special Report: patient-facing apps to support mental health interventions
Digital Health October 2019

• This report describes the Management and Supervision Tool (MaST), developed by Otsuka Health Solutions for Mersey Care Foundation Trust. MaST analyses data from the electronic patient record and uses an algorithm to determine how likely a patient is to use crisis services in the next 28 days. MaST overlays existing electronic health record and business information tools, extracting data overnight from the EPR and so presenting an up-to-date assessment each day. Launched in April there has been an increase in teams that are discharging people back to GP who are using MaST, and a reduction in the re-referrals.