Development of a Smartphone App for First Episode Psychosis: The PIER App
Poster A62, Monday, October%208, 11:30%20am%20-%201:00%20pm, Essex%20Ballroom
Debasis Das1; 1Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, UK
Interventions incorporating ICT (Information and Communication Technology) are usable and acceptable to people with psychosis and therapeutic use of ICT in psychosis may provide greater patient choice and control (O’Hanlon et al. 2016). 69% of younger patients with first episode psychosis own internet-enabled mobile device (Lal, 2015). Evidence exists for high satisfaction and engagement, using smartphones to enhance care of schizophrenia patients (Firth and Torous, 2015). The aim of developing the PIER App was to: (a) Help people understand their experiences, manage any ongoing difficulties, recover and minimise chance of potential relapse, (b) Help patients learn about their treatment and prognosis, using current technology and (c) Empower patients, carers, members of the public and healthcare professionals with appropriate information, knowledge and support following diagnosis. The App was developed through input from multidisciplinary staff in an early intervention in psychosis service, the PIER Team, in Leicester, UK, in conjunction with the Leicestershire Health Informatics Service. The app is a "one-stop" resource for information and advice, It consists of videos and patient stories, bringing together links to various reliable online sources;aimed at patients, carers and healthcare professionals. The app is free to download, worldwide, from the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. This is the first stage in the app’s development with further iterations planned, to add interactivity including monitoring changes in mood and symptoms. There are challenges; e-mental health may not be acceptable or helpful for everyone and there are funding and clinical governance considerations in further development.
Topic Area: First Episode Psychosis