Online Program

Oral

Digital solutions, such as mobile applications (apps) and responsive website designs, are becoming common tools in the support of behavioral health and primary care clinical practice. Some question if this use of technology might silence the voice of the client/patient or interfere with the therapeutic relationship between the provider and the client/patient This Special Session/panel discussion explores how to keep the perspective of the client/patient can central in the development and creation of digital solutions and best practices in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of behavioral health concerns. The development of two mobile apps will be presented: SAMHSA's "Suicide SAFE" – targeted at behavioral health and primary care providers, to improve suicide assessment in the clinical setting; and a safety planning app – MY3 - for use by and with the client, to support the management of suicidal behaviors. This topic will be examined from multiple perspectives by panelists who were integrally involved with app development: the sponsoring agency (SAMHSA); developers who adapted tools to digital media and were responsible for formative research and technology development; and developers who worked with end-user clinicians and clients/patients.

Session Objectives: Describe the importance of the client/patient perspective in developing clinical tools to support behavioral health clinicians. Identify two ways that digital approaches (e.g., a mobile application) may interfere with the therapeutic relationship between the behavioral health provider and her/his client. Discuss how formative and qualitative research approaches keep the perspective/needs of the client central to the development of a digital solution to a client's behavioral health challenge.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH) , Masters Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES)