Previously submitted to: JMIR Mental Health (no longer under consideration since Feb 20, 2026)
Date Submitted: Feb 17, 2026
Open Peer Review Period: Feb 20, 2026 - Feb 20, 2026
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How Australian Mental Health Professionals Choose and Use Digital Interventions in Clinical Practice: A Mixed Methods Survey
ABSTRACT
Background:
The integration of digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) into mainstream mental health services can reduce access barriers for young people and enhance client outcomes. To support effective implementation of DMHIs into routine care, it is vital to understand the factors supporting their uptake.
Objective:
This study aimed to better understand how Australian mental health professionals currently use DMHIs in their personal and professional practice, and how they select effective, evidence-based interventions.
Methods:
An overview of a proposed DMHI platform for children and adolescents was disseminated to mental health professionals from hospital, community, education and crisis support hotline settings. Participants (n=87) then completed a mixed methods survey, exploring relevant domains of the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. Quantitative data (electronic-therapy attitudes and process questionnaire, bespoke items) were summarised descriptively and compared between organisation types. Open-ended questions were examined via qualitative content analysis.
Results:
Survey results indicate strong support for DMHIs; 78% of participants incorporated DMHIs into clinical practice, and 86% had recommended DMHIs to friends, family and colleagues. Common reasons for recommending DMHIs to clients were utility for monitoring symptoms, providing support, and offering another source of information. When selecting DMHIs, the minority of participants independently sought out research evidence. More often, participants relied on endorsements from their workplace and trusted third parties, the source of the intervention, or self-assessment of intervention quality. Assessing client and family needs, preferences and feedback was the most common strategy for determining if interventions were effective for young people.
Conclusions:
While DMHIs are commonly used and recommended by mental health professionals, there is variation in how practitioners assess and select appropriate and effective interventions. Findings highlight the importance of strategically communicating evidence of intervention efficacy. Disseminating evidence via commonly accessed platforms may support improved evidence-informed decision making when selecting DMHIs in clinical practice.
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