Digital Tools transfigure the Mental Health field
Pranav Patel
Chief Technology Officer | Team Builder | AI Implementer | Analyst and Architect
Digital cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) programs, chatbots, written and video information, gamified user exercises, and other non-clinician-based digital mental health services complement clinician-based virtual care, giving 24/7 access to those with less intensive needs. A strong ecosystem for end-to-end patient care, including directing patients to in-person care when necessary, is being built by innovative mental health suppliers by fusing digital tools with virtual care. This set of technologies improves consumer accessibility and convenience while offering the mental health care system scalable solutions and more flexibility.?
The effectiveness of digital CBT programs in treating anxiety, depression, and insomnia has been compared to that of in-person CBT. One randomized, placebo-controlled trial of web-based CBT for insomnia demonstrated improvements in sleep quality and wakefulness. Many significant employers have adopted this system, now branded Sleepio. In randomized clinical trials, a chatbot created by Woebot that offers CBT, DBT (dialectical behavior therapy), and mindfulness support significantly reduced young people's anxiety and sadness. Among participants in a digitally delivered resilience program, meQuilibrium, a stress and resilience software, and program, demonstrated a significant favorable dose-response effect on stress and related symptoms. Any one of these care solutions can be provided in a HIPAA-compliant way with the necessary privacy safeguards.
Organizations from throughout the world are stepping up their efforts in this area. Global Future Council on Neurotechnologies members from the World Economic Forum recently gathered to discuss the many ways that recent developments in telecommunications, big data analytics (including machine learning), mobile technologies, and biosensors - loosely grouped together under the umbrella term "digital technologies" - are poised to have a significant impact on various facets of mental health care and treatment.?