ArticleJMIR research protocols2024
mHealth Apps in German Outpatient Mental Health Care: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Approach.
Article in JMIR research protocols, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
5 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Effectiveness of Digital Behavioral Activation Interventions for Depression and Anxiety: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Journal of medical Internet research · 2025Pooled it
- Prescriber's Preferences for Digital Health Applications in Mental Health Care: Cross-Sectional Best-Worst Scaling Study of General Practitioners and Psychotherapists in Germany.Journal of medical Internet research · 2026Article
- [Access to Digital Health Applications - Prescription by Physicians vs Patient Requests Made Directly to Health Insurance Companies: Interviews with Experts].Gesundheitswesen (Bundesverband der Arzte des Offentlichen Gesundheitsdienstes (Germany)) · 2026Article
- Concepts for the Integration and Implementation of mHealth Apps for Patients With Mental Disorders: Scoping Review.Journal of medical Internet research · 2025Article
- How mental health status and attitudes toward mental health shape AI Acceptance in psychosocial care: a cross-sectional analysis.BMC psychology · 2025Article
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Authors and funding
10 authors.
Funding
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Abstract
backgroundMental disorders are complex diseases that affect 28% (about 17.8 million people) of the adult population in Germany annually. Since 2020, certain mobile health (mHealth) apps, so-called digital health applications (DiGA), are reimbursable in the German statutory health insurance system. A total of 27 of the 56 currently available DiGA are approved for the treatment of mental and behavioral diseases. An indicator of existing problems hindering the use of DiGA is the rather hesitant prescribing behavior.
objectiveThis project aims to develop health policy recommendations for the optimal integration of DiGA into outpatient psychotherapeutic care. The project is funded by the Innovation Fund of the Joint Federal Committee (grant 01VSF22029). The current status quo of the use of DiGA will be analyzed. Furthermore, concepts for the integration of mHealth apps, as well as their transfer into the care process will be investigated. In addition, barriers will be identified, and existing expectations of different perspectives captured.
methodsThe project will be based on a mixed methods approach. A scoping review and a qualitative analysis of focus groups and expert interviews will be carried out. Additionally, an analysis of claims data of the statutory health insurance will be conducted. This will be followed by a written survey of insured persons and health care providers. Finally, health policy recommendations will be derived in cooperation with stakeholders.
resultsThe scoping reviews and qualitative analyses have been completed, and the quantitative surveys are currently being carried out. The target number of responses in the survey of insured persons has already been achieved. Furthermore, the analysis claims data of the statutory health insurance is currently being conducted.
conclusionsThere is a need for research on how DiGA can be optimally integrated into the care process of patients with mental disorders as evidence regarding the topic is limited and prescribing behavior low. Although the potential of DiGA in mental health care has not yet fully unfolded, Germany serves as a model for other countries regarding reimbursable mHealth apps. This project aims to explore the potentials of DiGA and to describe the organizational, institutional, and procedural steps necessary for them to best support mental health care. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/56205.
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