Access, utilization, and interest in mHealth applications among veterans receiving outpatient care for PTSD.
Mobile health (mHealth) refers to the use of mobile technology (e.g., smartphones) and software (i.e., applications) to facilitate or enhance health care. Several mHealth programs act as either stand-alone aids for Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or adjuncts to conventional psychotherapy approaches. Veterans enrolled in a Veterans Affairs outpatient treatment program for PTSD (N = 188) completed anonymous questionnaires that assessed Veterans' access to mHealth-capable devices and their utilization of and interest in mHealth programs for PTSD. The majority of respondents (n = 142, 76%) reported having access to a cell phone or tablet capable of running applications, but only a small group (n = 18) reported use of existing mHealth programs for PTSD. Age significantly predicted ownership of mHealth devices, but not utilization or interest in mHealth applications among device owners. Around 56% to 76% of respondents with access indicated that they were interested in trying mHealth programs for such issues as anger management, sleep hygiene, and management of anxiety symptoms. Findings from this sample suggest that Veterans have adequate access to, and interest in, using mHealth applications to warrant continued development and evaluation of mobile applications for the treatment of PTSD and other mental health conditions.
Center for Chronic Disease Outcomes Research, One Veterans Drive (B68-2), Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN 55417.
Christopher R
CR
Erbes
Center for Sexual Health, West Bank Office Building, 1300 South 2nd Street, Suite 180, Minneapolis, MN 55454.
Rebecca
R
Stinson
National Center for PTSD, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, 795 Willow Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025.
Eric
E
Kuhn
Center for Chronic Disease Outcomes Research, One Veterans Drive (B68-2), Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN 55417.
Melissa
M
Polusny
Center for Chronic Disease Outcomes Research, One Veterans Drive (B68-2), Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN 55417.
Jessica
J
Urban
National Center for PTSD, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, 795 Willow Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025.
Julia
J
Hoffman
National Center for PTSD, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, 795 Willow Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025.
Josef I
JI
Ruzek
VA San Diego Healthcare System, 3350 La Jolla Village Drive, San Diego, CA 92161.
Carl
C
Stepnowsky
VA San Diego Healthcare System, 3350 La Jolla Village Drive, San Diego, CA 92161.
Steven R
SR
Thorp
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D000067449:Anger Management Therapy; D001007:Anxiety / Q000628:therapy; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services; D008875:Middle Aged; D063731:Mobile Applications / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000628:therapy; D000068997:Smartphone / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000628:therapy*; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States; D014728:Veterans; D055815:Young Adult