Clinicians' perceptions of PTSD Coach Australia

Esben Strodl; Jane Shakespeare-Finch; Karolina K Alichniewicz; Kelly Brown; Catherine Quinn; Leanne Hides; Angela White; Gabrial Gossage; Loretta Poerio; Dimitri Batras; Samantha Jackson; Jess Styles; David J Kavanagh

doi:10.1016/j.invent.2020.100333

Clinicians' perceptions of PTSD Coach Australia

Internet Interv. 2020 Aug 17:21:100333. doi: 10.1016/j.invent.2020.100333. eCollection 2020 Sep.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, School of Psychology & Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, GPO Box 2434, Brisbane, Qld 4001, Australia.
² Centre for Children's Health Research, Queensland University of Technology, 62 Raymond Terrace, South Brisbane, Qld 4101, Australia.
³ Lives Lived Well Research Group, School of Psychology, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld 4072, Australia.
⁴ Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital, Butterfield Street, Herston, Qld 4029, Australia.
⁵ Department of Veterans' Affairs, GPO Box 9998, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia.
⁶ Attained Success Consulting, GPO Box 2728, Melbourne, Vic 3001, Australia.
⁷ Mental Health Strategy & Research, Joint Health Command, CP3-7-100, Northcott Drive, Campbell, ACT 2600, Australia.

Abstract

Introduction: Applications or "mobile apps" are a potentially important source of assistance for serving and ex-serving Defence members with mental health problems. PTSD Coach Australia is a modified version of an application developed by the US Department of Veteran Affairs. Clinician perceptions of mobile apps are important as they influence the dissemination and adoption of apps. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of PTSD Coach Australia by clinicians with experience in assisting Defence members with mental health problems.

Method: The study involved two samples of participants who were asked about their perceptions of PTSD Coach Australia. The first involved 33 clinicians who participated in one of five focus groups. The second comprised 30 clinicians who were individually interviewed by telephone. Qualitative responses to questions regarding PTSD Coach Australia were analysed to identify representative themes. Participants in the focus group sample also rated the app on the user version of the Mobile Apps Rating Scale (uMARS).

Results: On the uMARS, clinicians rated the mobile app's subjective quality as 'average' to 'good'. Participants generally saw the app as a useful to help track symptoms, improve engagement and help implement strategies between sessions. However, they also expressed concerns with the app not being user-friendly (e.g. too wordy, poor layout/navigation) and having technical issues (freezing or crashing on Android devices).

Discussion: PTSD Coach Australia is generally seen as being acceptable and useful by mental health clinicians. However, it is important to include their concerns in future developments of PTSD Coach Australia and similar mobile apps in order to maximize their utilisation in Defence members.

Keywords: Combat disorders; Defence; Mobile apps; Smartphone; Stress disorders, traumatic; Veterans.