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Open Access 01-12-2023 | Study Protocol

Blended-ALMAMAR app for inpatient mental health care for refugees: study protocol for a multicenter implementation study within the I-REACH consortium (Internet based REfugee mentAl healtH Care)

Authors: Isabelle Reinhardt, Laura Schmidt, Dirk Reske, Jürgen Zielasek, Gracia Braun, Maria Böttche, Johanna Boettcher, Sebastian Burchert, Heide Glaesmer, Christine Knaevelsrud, Alexander Konnopka, Louisa Muntendorf, Laura Nohr, Sophia Paskuy, Babette Renneberg, Susan Sierau, Nadine Stammel, Birgit Wagner, Tina Wirz, Euphrosyne Gouzoulis-Mayfrank

Published in: BMC Health Services Research | Issue 1/2023

Abstract

Background

Refugees are at high risk for developing mental illnesses. Due to language and cultural barriers, there is need for specifically adapted therapeutic procedures for refugees in inpatient mental health care settings. Internet-based applications in refugee mother tongues have the potential to improve the outcomes of mental health care for this vulnerable population. The key research question of the present implementation study is whether the newly developed “blended ALMAMAR” app for Arabic and Farsi speaking refugees in Germany is used and accepted by patients and professionals in routine inpatient mental health care (blended care).

Methods

We present the design of an observational, prospective multicenter implementation study in eight psychiatric hospitals. We plan to recruit 100 Farsi or Arabic speaking refugees receiving in-patient treatment due to depression, anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder or substance use disorders. These patients will get access to the “blended ALMAMAR” app during their inpatient stay in a blended-care approach. We will assess the usage (e.g., duration and frequency of use of the app) as well as subjective acceptability and usability of the intervention. To identify sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with “blended ALMAMAR” usage, we will also perform clinical and questionnaire assessments.

Discussion

The newly developed “blended ALMAMAR” app may help to close communication gaps for the hard-to reach and vulnerable group of refugees in inpatient mental health care. It is the first blended-care intervention that addresses severely mentally ill refugees in an inpatient psychiatric setting in Germany.

Trial registration

The trial was registered in the German Clinical Trials Register on November 11, 2021 (DRKS00025972) and adapted on November 14, 2023.

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Title: Blended-ALMAMAR app for inpatient mental health care for refugees: study protocol for a multicenter implementation study within the I-REACH consortium (Internet based REfugee mentAl healtH Care)
Authors: Isabelle Reinhardt
Laura Schmidt
Dirk Reske
Jürgen Zielasek
Gracia Braun
Maria Böttche
Johanna Boettcher
Sebastian Burchert
Heide Glaesmer
Christine Knaevelsrud
Alexander Konnopka
Louisa Muntendorf
Laura Nohr
Sophia Paskuy
Babette Renneberg
Susan Sierau
Nadine Stammel
Birgit Wagner
Tina Wirz
Euphrosyne Gouzoulis-Mayfrank
Publication date: 01-12-2023
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Health Services Research / Issue 1/2023
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6963
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-10403-z

2024 ASCO Annual Meeting

Springer Medicine

Blended-ALMAMAR app for inpatient mental health care for refugees: study protocol for a multicenter implementation study within the I-REACH consortium (Internet based REfugee mentAl healtH Care)

Abstract

Background

Methods

Discussion

Trial registration

2024 ASCO Annual Meeting

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Discussion

Trial registration

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