Participatory development of the APP Mental: an evidence-based, subject-centered digital intervention designed for self-care and mental health support for SUS primary care health workers

• Grant number: 21/08694-8
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: May 01, 2022
• End date: April 30, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal Investigator: Jair Borges Barbosa Neto
• Grantee: Jair Borges Barbosa Neto
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Anderson Luiz Ara Souza ; Larissa Campagna Martini Barbosa ; Vânia Paula de Almeida Neris
• Associated scholarship(s): 23/07622-9 - Mental healthcare reception and assistance through an adaptive digital health computer system, offered for Primary Health Care workes' at Vila Isabel Region in São Carlos city, accessed through an adaptive digital health computing system., BP.TT; 23/05729-0 - Mental healthcare reception and assistance through an adaptive digital health computer system, offered for Primary Health Care workes at Vila Isabel Region in Sao Carlos city., BP.TT; 23/00940-5 - Mental healthcare reception and assistance through an adaptive digital health computer system, offered for Primary Health Care workes' at Vila São José Region in São Carlos city., BP.TT; + associated scholarships 23/02906-9 - Healthcare reception and assistance of the mental health care demands of professionals working in Primary Health Care in the Santa Felicia Region, in the municipality of São Carlos, accessed through an adaptive digital health computer system, BP.TT; 22/13985-4 - Reception and actions of promotion and prevention in mental health for professionals who work in Primary Health Care in the region of Santa Felícia, in the city of São Carlos, inserted in a digital health intervention., BP.TT; 22/13971-3 - Reception and mental health promotion and prevention actions for professionals working in Primary Health Care in the Aracy Region, at the NASF and at the Consultório na Rua, in the city of São Carlos, as part of a digital health intervention., BP.TT; 22/13988-3 - Reception and mental health promotion and prevention actions for professionals working in Primary Health Care in the "Vila São José" district located in the municipality of São Carlos, inserted in a digital health intervention., BP.TT; 22/13989-0 - Reception and mental health promotion and prevention actions for professionals working in Primary Health Care in the Vila Isabel region, in the city of São Carlos, inserted in a digital health intervention., BP.TT; 22/14290-0 - Reception and actions of promotion and prevention in mental health for professionals working in primary health care in the Redemption region, from the municipality of São Carlos, inserted in a digital health intervention., BP.TT; 22/11302-7 - Mental healthcare reception and assistance through an adaptive digital health computer system, offered for Primary Health Care workes at Aracy Region in Sao Carlos city., BP.TT; 22/09198-7 - Healthcare reception and assistance of the mental health care demands of professionals working in Primary Health Care in the Santa Felicia Region, in the municipality of São Carlos, accessed through an adaptive digital health computer system, BP.TT; 22/09632-9 - Mental healthcare reception and assistance through an adaptive digital health computer system, offered for Primary Health Care workes' at Vila São José Region in São Carlos city., BP.TT; 22/09199-3 - Mental healthcare reception and assistance through an adaptive digital health computer system, offered for Primary Health Care workes' at Vila Isabel Region in São Carlos city, accessed through an adaptive digital health computing system., BP.TT; 22/09200-1 - Mental healthcare reception and assistance through an adaptive digital health computer system, offered for Primary Health Care workes at Vila Isabel Region in Sao Carlos city., BP.TT - associated scholarships

Abstract

Increasing levels of mental suffering is observed in the COVID-19 pandemic context, especially among vulnerable populations, such as health care workers. Primary Health Care (PHC) workers are overloaded and vulnerable to mental suffering, however, there are few initiatives for interventions aimed at the mental health of this population. Scientific evidence points to the effectiveness of digital interventions for psychological distress promotion, prevention and care, especially when combined with virtual or face-to-face care and particularly when considering users' needs and participatory strategies throughout its development process. Digital interventions can also be favorable in terms of optimizing the users' time and enabling care remotely. Objectives: By carrying out an implementation study, it is intended to develop a participatory improvement method, based on evidence, of the APP Mental, an app for Assessment, Promotion and Prevention in Mental Health, which will be used combined with virtual or face-to-face approaches whenever necessary. Method: A mixed methodology will be used, combined with reviews of scientific literature, ethical, legal and public policy aspects to support the APP Mental improvement decisions and evidence-based interventions' development. Three studies will be conducted in parallel: 1) document and literature review; 2) feasibility study using a qualitative and quantitative approach and 3) a 4-month longitudinal study, using psychometric scales for tracking psychological distress and the delivery of mental health care interventions aimed at promoting and preventing mental health. A total of 100 PHC workers from São Carlos / SP / Brasil will be included in this study; they will be over 18 y.o. and must be available to interact with the application and participate in the study activities. Quantitative data will be collected from psychometric assessment scales, user feedback about the application and passive data collected by cell phone sensors. Qualitative data will be obtained from focus groups, intentioning to identify mental health needs and also access users' experience with the application in order to support the feasibility study. Numerical data will be analysed through statistical tests and qualitative data through thematic analysis. (AU)