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Open Access 01-12-2021 | Mood Disorders | Research article

Patient and physician perspectives of a smartphone application for depression: a qualitative study

Authors: Marie-Camille Patoz, Diego Hidalgo-Mazzei, Olivier Blanc, Norma Verdolini, Isabella Pacchiarotti, Andrea Murru, Laurent Zukerwar, Eduard Vieta, Pierre-Michel Llorca, Ludovic Samalin

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

Despite an increasing number of smartphone apps, such therapeutic tools have not yet consistently demonstrated their efficacy and many suffer from low retention rates. To ensure the development of efficient apps associated with high adherence, we aimed to identify, through a user-centred design approach, patient and physician expectations of a hypothetical app dedicated to depression.

Methods

We conducted semi-structured interviews with physicians (psychiatrists and general practitioners) and patients who had experienced a major depressive episode during the last 12 months using the focus group method. The interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and analysed using qualitative content analysis to define codes, categories and emergent themes.

Results

A total of 26 physicians and 24 patients were included in the study. The focus groups showed balanced sex and age distributions. Most participants owned a smartphone (83.3% of patients, 96.1% of physicians) and were app users (79.2% of patients and 96.1% of physicians).

The qualitative content analysis revealed 3 main themes: content, operating characteristics and barriers to the use of the app. Expected content included the data collected by the app, aiming to provide information about the patient, data provided by the app, gathering psychoeducation elements, therapeutic tools and functionalities to help with the management of daily life and features expected for this tool. The “operating characteristics” theme gathered aims considered for the app, its potential target users, considered modalities of use and considerations around its accessibility and security of use. Finally, barriers to the use of the app included concerns about potential app users, its accessibility, safety, side-effects, utility and functioning. All themes and categories were the same for patients and physicians.

Conclusions

Physician and patient expectations of a hypothetical smartphone app dedicated to depression are high and confirmed the important role it could play in depression care. The key points expected by the users for such a tool are an easy and intuitive use and a personalised content. They are also waiting for an app that gives information about depression, offers a self-monitoring functionality and helps them in case of emergency.

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Title: Patient and physician perspectives of a smartphone application for depression: a qualitative study
Authors: Marie-Camille Patoz
Diego Hidalgo-Mazzei
Olivier Blanc
Norma Verdolini
Isabella Pacchiarotti
Andrea Murru
Laurent Zukerwar
Eduard Vieta
Pierre-Michel Llorca
Ludovic Samalin
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Mood Disorders
Affective Disorder
Published in: BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-021-03064-x

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Patient and physician perspectives of a smartphone application for depression: a qualitative study

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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