In an effort to provide improved access to services and reduce mental health hospital admissions for youth, a London-based research centre is exploring the use of new mobile software to provide virtual care.
Lawson Health Research Institute and Canadian digital health software company InputHealth announced the new software on Thursday called TELEPROM-Y, which is a mobile-based "TELEMedicine and Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Youth study".
A team of researchers will use an electronic Collaborative Health Record (CHR), developed by InputHealth, to allow secure face-to-face video and mobile patient questionnaires to be sent.
"We believe that the Collaborative Health Record will not only improve outcomes and quality of life for patients, but will also reduce health care system costs by preventing hospitalizations and reducing the need for outpatient visits,” said Dr. Cheryl Forchuk, the lead researcher for the TELEPROM-Y study.
The study will focus on youth aged 16 to 25 who have symptoms of anxiety and/or depression, and are receiving outpatient services from a hospital-based mental health care program at London Health Sciences Centre, St. Joseph’s Health Care London and Woodstock General Hospital, among others.
Researchers will gauge the effectiveness of the mobile software by examining its ability to improve the ease of access to care, enhance information exchange between patient and health care provider, and monitor mood and behaviour changes for earlier intervention.
“An analysis will be conducted to assess whether the technology is effective and efficient, and acceptable to both the staff and youth using it,” said Dr. Forchuk, who added the overall experience for the youth will also be evaluated.
The TELEPROM-Y research initiative received $395,109 in funding from the provincial government with $494,630 in matching contributions. The initiative is one of 11 that received funding from Ontario’s second round of the Health Technologies Fund.