A Mobile Health Intervention to Support Collaborative Decision-Making in Mental Health Care: Development and Usability
Authors: Romm Kristin Lie , Skoge Mari , Barrett Elizabeth Ann , Berentzen Lars-Christian , Bergsager Dagfinn , Fugelli Pål , Bjella Thomas , Gardsjord Erlend Strand , Kling Kristine , Kruse Sindre Hembre , Kværner Kari Jorunn , Melle Ingrid , Mork Erlend , Ihler Henrik Myhre , Rognli Eline Borger , Simonsen Carmen , Værnes Tor Gunnar , Aminoff Sofie Ragnhild 
Published: January 2025

Background

Shared decision-making between clinicians and service users is crucial in mental health care. One significant barrier to achieving this goal is the lack of user-centered services. Integrating digital tools into mental health services holds promise for addressing some of these challenges. However, the implementation of digital tools, such as mobile apps, remains limited, and attrition rates for mental health apps are typically high. Design thinking can support the development of tools tailored to the needs of service users and clinicians.

Objective

This study aims to develop and beta test a digital tool designed for individuals with severe mental disorders or substance use disorders to facilitate shared decision-making on treatment goals and strategies within mental health services.

Methods

We used a user-centered design approach to develop iTandem, an app facilitating collaborative treatment between service users and clinicians. Through qualitative interviews and workshops, we engaged 6 service users with severe mental disorders or substance use disorders, 6 clinicians, and 1 relative to identify and design relevant app modules. A beta test of iTandem was conducted to refine the app and plan for a pilot trial in a clinical setting. After 6 weeks of app use, 5 clinicians and 4 service users were interviewed to provide feedback on the concept, implementation, and technical issues. Safety and ethical considerations were thoroughly discussed and addressed.

Results

To avoid overload for the service users, we applied a pragmatic take on module content and size. Thus, iTandem includes the following 8 modules, primarily based on the needs of service users and clinicians: Sleep (sleep diary), Medication (intake and side effects), Recovery (measures, including well-being and personal recovery, and exercises, including good things and personal strengths), Mood (mood diary and report of daily feelings), Psychosis (level of positive symptoms and their consequences and level of negative symptoms), Activity (goal setting and progress), Substance use (weekly use, potential triggers or strategies used to abstain), and Feedback on therapy (of individual sessions and overall rating of the past week). For the beta testing, service users and clinicians collaborated in choosing 2-3 modules in iTandem to work with during treatment sessions. The testing showed that the app was well received by service users, and that facilitation for implementation is crucial.

Conclusions

iTandem and similar apps have the potential to enhance treatment outcomes by facilitating shared decision-making and tailoring treatment to the needs of service users. However, successful implementation requires thorough testing, iterative development, and evaluations of both utility and treatment effects. There is a critical need to focus on how technology integrates into clinical settings—from development to implementation—and to conduct further research on early health technology assessments to guide these processes.