The impact of digital technology on psychological treatments and their dissemination

Christopher G Fairburn; Vikram Patel

doi:10.1016/j.brat.2016.08.012

The impact of digital technology on psychological treatments and their dissemination

Behav Res Ther. 2017 Jan:88:19-25. doi: 10.1016/j.brat.2016.08.012.

Authors

Christopher G Fairburn¹, Vikram Patel²

Affiliations

¹ Oxford University, Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, Oxford OX3 7JX, UK. Electronic address: credo@medsci.ox.ac.uk.
² London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK.

Abstract

The psychological treatment of mental health problems is beginning to undergo a sea-change driven by the widespread availability of digital technology. In this paper we provide an overview of the developments to date and those in the pipeline. We describe the various uses of digital interventions and consider their likely impact on clinical practice, clinical services and the global dissemination of psychological treatments. We note the importance of online clinics, blended treatment, digital assessment and digital training.

Keywords: Blended treatment; Digital health; Digital technology; Dissemination; Internet; Psychological treatment; Training.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Humans
Internet
Mental Disorders / therapy*
Teaching / trends*
Therapy, Computer-Assisted / trends*

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Grants and funding