Prescriber’s Preferences for Digital Health Applications in Mental Health Care: Cross-Sectional Best-Worst Scaling Study of General Practitioners and Psychotherapists in Germany - Report - MDSpire
Advertisement
Prescriber’s Preferences for Digital Health Applications in Mental Health Care: Cross-Sectional Best-Worst Scaling Study of General Practitioners and Psychotherapists in Germany
Preferences of Healthcare Providers Regarding Digital Health Tools in Mental Health
Overview
This study analyzes the preferences of healthcare providers in Germany regarding digital health applications (DiGA) for mental health, highlighting differences in prescribing patterns between general practitioners and psychotherapists.
Background
Mental disorders are a significant public health issue in Germany, with a high prevalence among adults. The introduction of digital health applications under the 2019 Digital Care Act aims to enhance treatment options for these conditions.
Data Highlights
Data from Germany’s largest SHIF indicates that 37.6% of all DiGA are prescribed by general practitioners (GPs), while only 14.7% are prescribed by psychotherapists or psychiatrists.
Key Findings
37.6% of DiGA prescriptions are made by general practitioners (GPs), while only 14.7% are by psychotherapists or psychiatrists.
In the mental health domain, GPs account for nearly 50% of DiGA prescriptions, compared to around 10% by psychotherapists or psychiatrists.
Deprexis and Somnio are among the most prescribed mental health DiGAs, with GPs issuing 55% and 46% of prescriptions, respectively.
The average waiting time for psychotherapeutic treatment in Germany is approximately 18 weeks.
As of April 2026, about half of all approved DiGA applications target mental or behavioral disorders.
Clinical Implications
Healthcare providers play a crucial role in prescribing digital health applications, which can bridge gaps in mental health care. Understanding the differences in prescribing patterns may inform strategies to enhance the integration of DiGA into treatment pathways.
Conclusion
The study underscores the need for further exploration of the barriers to DiGA adoption among healthcare providers to improve mental health care delivery in Germany.
by Carsten Volland, Felix Plescher, Pascal Raszke, Luisa Friedrich, Christian Speckemeier, Sarah Schlierenkamp, Michael Minor, Carina Abels, Klemens Höfer, Jürgen Wasem, Josepha Katzmann, Udo Schneider, Anja Wadeck, Sophia Zander, Anna Bußmann
