illness will receive mental health services [4]. Suicide is the second leading cause of
death among Canadian youth, accounting for 24% of the deaths among individuals
aged 15–24 [4]. Research on the integrated use of information technologies has shown
strong improvements in the accessibility, quality, and efficiency of health and mental
healthcare services [5]. Mobile technologies, in particular, appear to be a promising
avenue due to the ubiquitous and portable nature of mobile devices. Smart phones have
been successfully used to complement the treatment of a wide range of illnesses such as
schizophrenia [6], bipolar disorder [7], and social phobia [8].
This ongoing study is integrating a mobile technology solution into routine care for
youth who have symptoms of anxiety and depression. This technology is expected to:
1) promote healthcare outcomes, community inclusion and quality of life; and 2) reduce
healthcare system costs by preventing hospitalization and reducing the need for outpatient visits. This report focuses on baseline data and the initial set of focus group data
with youth and their care providers.
2 Materials and Methods
Study Design
This participatory action research project utilized a pre-post, mixed methods design.
This paper reports on the baseline data from interviews and the initial focus groups after
the youth had been using the application for less than 3 months.
Semi-structured interviews are being conducted at baseline, 6, and 12 months
respectively. Focus groups will be held with youth and separate groups with care
providers. A standardized evaluation framework will be instituted to facilitate systematic effectiveness, economic, ethical, and policy analyses [9]. The primary outcome
measure for effectiveness is the Community Integration Questionnaire – Revised.
Participants
This two-year project will recruit 125 youth participants and have recruited 115 youth
(ages 14–25) from the caseloads of 46 mental healthcare providers in London and
Woodstock, Ontario, Canada who are receiving hospital-based or community agencybased outpatient care.
Additional inclusion criteria for participants to participate in the study include:
1. Must be on a caseload of a participating staff or care provider.
2. Able to understand English to the degree necessary to participate.
3. Have symptoms of anxiety or depression.
4. Youth must be 14–25 years old.
Intervention
The study, called Youth Telemedicine and Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement
(TELEPROM-Y), allows participants synchronous and asynchronous communication
with their staff/care provider team through the Collaborative Health Record (CHR).
The CHR integrates the workflow of the full spectrum of healthcare providers, while also
having embedded patient engagement functionality. These functionalities include the
ability to: book appointments online; track quality of health and health outcome scores
using mobile devices; access tailored educational content pertaining to their mental health;
Improving Access and Mental Health for Youth Through Virtual Models of Care
211
death among Canadian youth, accounting for 24% of the deaths among individuals
aged 15–24 [4]. Research on the integrated use of information technologies has shown
strong improvements in the accessibility, quality, and efficiency of health and mental
healthcare services [5]. Mobile technologies, in particular, appear to be a promising
avenue due to the ubiquitous and portable nature of mobile devices. Smart phones have
been successfully used to complement the treatment of a wide range of illnesses such as
schizophrenia [6], bipolar disorder [7], and social phobia [8].
This ongoing study is integrating a mobile technology solution into routine care for
youth who have symptoms of anxiety and depression. This technology is expected to:
1) promote healthcare outcomes, community inclusion and quality of life; and 2) reduce
healthcare system costs by preventing hospitalization and reducing the need for outpatient visits. This report focuses on baseline data and the initial set of focus group data
with youth and their care providers.
2 Materials and Methods
Study Design
This participatory action research project utilized a pre-post, mixed methods design.
This paper reports on the baseline data from interviews and the initial focus groups after
the youth had been using the application for less than 3 months.
Semi-structured interviews are being conducted at baseline, 6, and 12 months
respectively. Focus groups will be held with youth and separate groups with care
providers. A standardized evaluation framework will be instituted to facilitate systematic effectiveness, economic, ethical, and policy analyses [9]. The primary outcome
measure for effectiveness is the Community Integration Questionnaire – Revised.
Participants
This two-year project will recruit 125 youth participants and have recruited 115 youth
(ages 14–25) from the caseloads of 46 mental healthcare providers in London and
Woodstock, Ontario, Canada who are receiving hospital-based or community agencybased outpatient care.
Additional inclusion criteria for participants to participate in the study include:
1. Must be on a caseload of a participating staff or care provider.
2. Able to understand English to the degree necessary to participate.
3. Have symptoms of anxiety or depression.
4. Youth must be 14–25 years old.
Intervention
The study, called Youth Telemedicine and Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement
(TELEPROM-Y), allows participants synchronous and asynchronous communication
with their staff/care provider team through the Collaborative Health Record (CHR).
The CHR integrates the workflow of the full spectrum of healthcare providers, while also
having embedded patient engagement functionality. These functionalities include the
ability to: book appointments online; track quality of health and health outcome scores
using mobile devices; access tailored educational content pertaining to their mental health;
Improving Access and Mental Health for Youth Through Virtual Models of Care
211