PS35 - The Best Laid Plans of Suicide Researchers Using the Experience Sampling Method: Learning From Methodological and Practical Challenges to Advance Research

The Feasibility of Integrating Smartphone Apps in Routine Mental Health Care for Outpatients With Suicidal Ideation
August, 30 | 14:00 - 15:30

Smartphone apps could increase safety and self-management of patients at-risk of suicide, but it remains unclear whether it is feasible to integrate these apps in routine mental health care. This study reports on the feasibility of using a safety planning app (B¬ackUp) and a self-monitoring app (mEMA) as part of regular treatment of outpatients with suicidal ideation. We aimed to include 80 patient-clinician dyads. To this end, we trained 52 clinicians in working with both apps, and asked them to invite patients with suicidal ideation from their caseload. Patients and clinicians were instructed to use the apps for three months during regular treatment. After extending the recruitment period to 14 months, we still had included only 17 patients, and had to cease recruitment due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Not all trained clinicians could be contacted again. Those we could contact gave various reasons for not inviting patients, whereas patients who were invited were not always willing to participate. Details will be discussed at the conference. Clinicians and patients who did participate reported good usability and acceptability. Integration of safety-planning and self-monitoring apps in regular outpatient treatment proved to be challenging. Suggestions for future implementation projects will be discussed.

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