Prescriber’s Preferences for Digital Health Applications in Mental Health Care: Cross-Sectional Best-Worst Scaling Study of General Practitioners and Psychotherapists in Germany - Summary - MDSpire
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Prescriber’s Preferences for Digital Health Applications in Mental Health Care: Cross-Sectional Best-Worst Scaling Study of General Practitioners and Psychotherapists in Germany
To analyze the preferences of healthcare providers, specifically general practitioners (GPs) and psychotherapists, regarding digital health tools in mental health.
Approach:
Study Design: A cross-sectional best-worst scaling analysis was conducted among GPs and psychotherapists in Germany.
Key Findings:
Mental disorders have a 12-month prevalence of approximately 28% among adults in Germany.
DiGA are the first formally reimbursable digital health interventions in Germany, yet adoption varies significantly between GPs and psychotherapists.
GPs prescribe nearly 50% of all DiGA for mental health, while psychotherapists account for only around 10%.
GPs view DiGA positively but report challenges such as insufficient information and integration issues.
Psychotherapists see DiGA as complementary to traditional therapy but express concerns about individualization and therapeutic depth.
Interpretation:
Differences in acceptance and prescribing behavior of DiGA among GPs and psychotherapists are influenced by their professional roles and concerns regarding digital health tools.
Limitations:
Prior research primarily relied on qualitative or exploratory approaches, limiting comprehensive understanding.
The study may not capture all factors influencing the adoption of DiGA across different healthcare settings.
Conclusion:
The findings highlight the differences in perspectives of GPs and psychotherapists regarding the integration of digital health tools in mental health care.
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
