JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Mental health is crucial for proper execution of daily duties by healthcare personnel. However, there have been limited efforts to bring mental health services and care closer to this crucial group.

Objective:

To assess the effectiveness of "Psicovida," a mobile application, in enhancing mental health care for healthcare workers by reducing symptoms of depression and emotional distress through the implementation of cognitive-behavioral therapy-based activities over a three-month period.

Methods:

This quasi-experimental study employed a randomized, controlled design with initial and final assessments. Participants were healthcare workers from a public hospital in Ecuador, including doctors and nurses. Eligibility criteria included being over 18 years old, having at least 12 months of service at the institution, and owning a smartphone. The intervention involved the use of the "Psicovida" app, which provided weekly tasks based on cognitive-behavioral theories for a period of 3 months. Data collection included demographic information and self-administered tests (PHQ-9 and GHQ-12) to evaluate psychological well-being and identify non-psychotic psychiatric conditions before and after the intervention.

Results:

The study found that healthcare personnel who used the "Psicovida" mobile application reported significant reductions in symptoms of depression and emotional distress. These improvements were more pronounced in users who initially exhibited higher levels of these symptoms, compared to those in the control group who did not use the app and either maintained their symptom levels or experienced an increase in depressive and emotional distress symptoms.

Conclusions:

The "Psicovida" mobile application, when used as a supplementary mental health care tool, shows promise in reducing symptoms of depression and emotional distress among healthcare personnel. This study underscores the potential benefits of integrating mobile health technologies into mental health care strategies for healthcare workers, highlighting the importance of accessible and flexible support systems in managing mental health challenges within this crucial workforce.