A Process Evaluation of a Mobile App for Medical Students Aimed at Increasing Resilience and Decreasing Stigma in Mental Health.
| Autor: | Fadel NM; Psychiatry and Neuro-Behavioral Sciences, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine-Carolinas Campus, Spartanburg, USA., Stoner A; Epidemiology and Public Health, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine-Carolinas Campus, Spartanburg, USA., Berreta K; Psychiatry, AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, Atlantic City, USA., Wilson A; Data Quality Analysis, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, USA., Ridgeway LM; Student Affairs, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine-Carolinas Campus, Spartanburg, USA., Biber D; Health Sciences, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, USA., Garner HR; Bioinformatics, Proposed Illinois College of Osteopathic Medicine (IlliniosCOM) at The Chicago School, Chicago, USA. |
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| Jazyk: | angličtina |
| Zdroj: | Cureus [Cureus] 2024 Jun 24; Vol. 16 (6), pp. e63054. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Jun 24 (Print Publication: 2024). |
| DOI: | 10.7759/cureus.63054 |
| Abstrakt: | Objective: The purpose of this pilot study was to conduct a process evaluation of a mental health and wellness mobile health (mHealth) application for medical students designed to increase resilience and decrease mental health stigma. Methods: The customized application, MindfulMEDS, was developed with peer-focused interactive modules specific to medical students within an existing system called Sharpen ® . The Sharpen ® system contains an extensive library of didactic and experiential mental health and wellness content built specifically to promote evidence-based protective factors for resilience. A mixed-methods approach including surveys and focus groups assessed participant resiliency, perception of mental health within the context of medical school, and evaluation of the app. Assessments were conducted at baseline (n = 66), six months (n = 30), and one year (n = 24). Demographic information was collected once at baseline as a part of the initial survey. Results: A total of 215 users were registered in MindfulMEDS, consumed 83 courses, and engaged in 1,428 "connect clicks" to community resources and crisis-response supports. Resilience levels did not change significantly between surveys; however, a significant decrease in the perception of mental health stigma associated with utilizing mental health resources was observed. Focus group participants (n = 11) reported the screening tools to be useful, encouraged expansion, and suggested additional reminders to access the app to increase engagement. Conclusion: Findings of this pilot study demonstrate the feasibility of implementing MindfulMEDS (an mHealth app focused on mental health and wellness) among medical students. Students found the app experience valuable, accessed mental health screeners embedded within the app, utilized the app to seek help, and engaged with the app to learn more about mental health. There was also a decrease in mental health stigma observed during the course of the study. Based on these results, we propose that medical schools incorporate mobile-based technology into their mental health support programs. Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Institutional Review Board (IRB) issued approval 2019-035. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Intellectual property info: Content created through MindfulMEDS has copyrights to both VCOM and Resiliency Technologies. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work. (Copyright © 2024, Fadel et al.) |
| Databáze: | MEDLINE |
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