Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2019 Jun 26:2:61.
doi: 10.1038/s41746-019-0137-6. eCollection 2019.

The technology specialist: a 21st century support role in clinical care

Valerie A Noel  1 , Elizabeth Carpenter-Song  2 , Stephanie C Acquilano  3 , John Torous  4 , Robert E Drake  1   3
Affiliations

The technology specialist: a 21st century support role in clinical care

Valerie A Noel et al. NPJ Digit Med. .

Abstract

Mental health clinicians, clients, and researchers have shown keen interest in using technology to support mental health recovery. However, technology has not been routinely integrated into clinical care. Clients use a wide range of digital tools and apps to help manage their mental health, but clinicians rarely discuss this form of self-management in clinical interactions. This absence of communication is concerning because the safety and quality of the digital tools and apps people use may negatively affect their mental health outcomes. Mental health systems could benefit from someone to help identify technology-based supports that reflect current evidence and minimize privacy and security concerns. This technology specialist may also enhance the therapeutic bond between the client and the clinician. In working with a technology specialist, clients may begin to gain a sense of control over their mental health, and perhaps use fewer mental health services.

Keywords: Bipolar disorder; Health services; Psychiatric disorders; Psychosis; Schizophrenia.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Competing interestsThe authors declare no competing interests.

References

    1. Torous J, Roberts LW. Needed innovation in digital health and smartphone applications for mental health: transparency and trust. JAMA Psychiatry. 2017;74:437–438. doi: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2017.0262. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Arjadi R, et al. Internet-based behavioural activation with lay counsellor support versus online minimal psychoeducation without support for treatment of depression: a randomised controlled trial in Indonesia. Lancet Psychiatry. 2018;5:707–716. doi: 10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30223-2. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Ben-Zeev D, et al. Development and usability testing of FOCUS: a smartphone system for self-management of schizophrenia. Psychiatry Rehabilit. J. 2013;36:289–296. doi: 10.1037/prj0000019. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Mani M, Kavanagh DJ, Hides L, Stoyanov SR. Review and evaluation of mindfulness-based iPhone apps. JMIR MHealth UHealth. 2015;3:e82. doi: 10.2196/mhealth.4328. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Brunette MF, Ferron JC, Gottlieb J, Devitt T, Rotondi A. Development and usability testing of a web-based smoking cessation treatment for smokers with schizophrenia. Internet Interv. 2016;4:113–119. doi: 10.1016/j.invent.2016.05.003. - DOI - PMC - PubMed