Shivani Patel 1 , Gerry Craigen 2 , Mariana Pinto da Costa 3,4 , Becky Inkster 5,6 Show Affiliations »
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The concept of digital social prescription usually refers to social prescriptions that are facilitated by using technology. Tools that enable such digital social prescriptions may be beneficial in recommending nonmedical activities to people with mental illness. As these tools are still somewhat novel and emerging, little is known about their potential advantages and disadvantages. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to identify the potential opportunities and challenges that may arise from digital social prescriptions. METHODS: We developed a qualitative questionnaire that was disseminated through social media (Facebook and Twitter). A purposive sample targeting digital mental health experts and nonexperts was approached. The questionnaire asked participants' views about digital social prescription; the core elements linked with a definition of digital social prescription; and the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats associated with digital social prescription. RESULTS: Four core elements were recommended to define the concept of digital social prescription: digital, facilitate, user, and social. The main strength identified was the possibility to rapidly start using digital social prescription tools, which were perceived as cost-effective. The main weaknesses were their poor adherence and difficulties with using such tools. The main opportunities were an increased access to social prescription services and the prevention of serious mental illness. The main threats were certain groups being disadvantaged, patients being subject to unintended negative consequences, and issues relating to confidentiality and data protection. CONCLUSIONS: Although digital social prescriptions may be able to effectively augment the social prescriptions, a careful consideration of practical challenges and data ethics is imperative in the design and implementation of such technologies. ©Shivani Patel, Gerry Craigen, Mariana Pinto da Costa, Becky Inkster. Originally published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (http://www.jmir.org), 09.03.2021.
BACKGROUND: The concept of digital social prescription usually refers to social prescriptions that are facilitated by using technology. Tools that enable such digital social prescriptions may be beneficial in recommending nonmedical activities to people with mental illness . As these tools are still somewhat novel and emerging, little is known about their potential advantages and disadvantages. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to identify the potential opportunities and challenges that may arise from digital social prescriptions. METHODS: We developed a qualitative questionnaire that was disseminated through social media (Facebook and Twitter). A purposive sample targeting digital mental health experts and nonexperts was approached. The questionnaire asked participants ' views about digital social prescription; the core elements linked with a definition of digital social prescription; and the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats associated with digital social prescription. RESULTS: Four core elements were recommended to define the concept of digital social prescription: digital, facilitate, user, and social. The main strength identified was the possibility to rapidly start using digital social prescription tools, which were perceived as cost-effective. The main weaknesses were their poor adherence and difficulties with using such tools. The main opportunities were an increased access to social prescription services and the prevention of serious mental illness . The main threats were certain groups being disadvantaged, patients being subject to unintended negative consequences, and issues relating to confidentiality and data protection. CONCLUSIONS: Although digital social prescriptions may be able to effectively augment the social prescriptions, a careful consideration of practical challenges and data ethics is imperative in the design and implementation of such technologies. ©Shivani Patel, Gerry Craigen, Mariana Pinto da Costa, Becky Inkster. Originally published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (http://www.jmir.org), 09.03.2021.
Entities: Chemical
Disease
Gene
Species
Keywords:
mental health; mobile phone; psychiatry; technology
Year: 2021
PMID： 33687338 PMCID： PMC7988390 DOI： 10.2196/17438
Source DB: PubMed Journal: J Med Internet Res ISSN： 1438-8871 Impact factor: 5.428