Mental health apps: What to tell patients
An evaluation model created specifically for such apps can help guide your discussions.
AUDIO: Dr. Torous describes key points to cover when discussing apps with patients.
Ease of use. Across all health apps, there is growing recognition that most downloaded apps are never used. Patient engagement with mental health apps appears to rapidly decline over the first week of use.19 There also is emerging evidence that many apps are not user-friendly. A recent study of several common mood-tracking apps found that patients with depression had difficulty entering and accessing their data.20 Because many psychiatric disorders are chronic or last at least several months, it is especially important to consider how engaging and usable the app will be for your patient. Usability varies from patient to patient, so it is best to check directly with your patient regarding his comfort with apps and mobile technology. Offering check-ins and support to help patients keep on track with apps may be critical for successful outcomes.
Interoperability. The final layer of the model is data sharing and interoperability. It is important to determine if the data collected or generated by the app are available to you, the patient, the treatment team, and others involved in the patient’s care. As mental health treatment moves toward integrated care, apps that fragment care (by not sharing information) impede care. Check if the app can share data with an electronic medical record, or if there is a plan to review and act on data from the app as part of your patient’s treatment plan.
More information about the APA App Evaluation Model, including additional factors to consider within each layer, is available from the APA for free at https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/mental-health-apps/app-evaluation-model. For a sample of factors to consider when evaluating a mental health app, see the Table.
A reasonable strategy
Although the APA App Evaluation Model does not endorse any particular app, it can help guide more informed decision-making. As the evidence on mental health apps continues to evolve, it will become easier to make definitive statements on what constitutes a useful app. For now, the best strategy when discussing mental health apps with patients is to combine the use of this model with your clinical judgment.
