title: Acceptability Study of "Ascenso": An Online Program for Monitoring and Supporting Patients with Depression in Chile.
abstract: Major depression is a highly prevalent and severe mental disease. Despite the effective treatment options available, the risk of relapse is high. Interventions based on information and communication technologies generate innovative opportunities to provide support to patients after they completed treatment for depression.
  
  
  
  This acceptability study evaluated the Internet-based program Apoyo, Seguimiento y Cuidado de Enfermedades a partir de Sistemas Operativos (ASCENSO) in terms of its feasibility and acceptability in a sample of 35 patients in Chile.
  
  
  
  The study reveals high rates of acceptance and satisfaction among patients who actively used the program. As obstacles, patients mentioned technical problems, a lack of contact with other participants, and an insufficient connection between the program and the health service professionals.
  
  
  
  ASCENSO appears to be a promising complement to regular care for depression. Following improvements of the program based on participants' feedback, future research should evaluate its efficacy and cost-effectiveness.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Psychology, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile , Santiago, Chile .
authors.forename: H Daniel
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Espinosa
authors.affiliation: 2 Graduate School, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile , Santiago, Chile .
authors.forename: Álvaro
authors.initials: Á
authors.lastname: Carrasco
authors.affiliation: 3 Center for Psychotherapy Research, University Hospital , Heidelberg, Germany .
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moessner
authors.affiliation: 4 PSICOMEDICA Clinical & Research Group , Santiago, Chile .
authors.forename: Cristian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cáceres
authors.affiliation: 4 PSICOMEDICA Clinical & Research Group , Santiago, Chile .
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gloger
authors.affiliation: 5 Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Clinical Hospital, Universidad de Chile , Santiago, Chile .
authors.forename: Graciela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rojas
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Psychology, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile , Santiago, Chile .
authors.forename: J Carola
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Perez
authors.affiliation: 6 Department of Psychology, Universidad de Antioquia , Medellin, Colombia .
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vanegas
authors.affiliation: 3 Center for Psychotherapy Research, University Hospital , Heidelberg, Germany .
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Psychology, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile , Santiago, Chile .
authors.forename: Mariane
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Krause
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002677:Chile; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000458:organization & administration*
keywords: Internet; depression; electronic mental health; supportive monitoring; telehealth; telemedicine