Computerized Education Application

Computerized Education Application
The invention of various technologies to improve patient or health consumer education is becoming a critical healthcare goal. Most patients will always look for information on the internet that best fits their needs; hence this is an opportunity that should be seized and utilized effectively. Additionally, the encroachment of healthcare with technology is continuing to grow; thus, this provides a chance to use various technological applications and devices to bring and easy access to critical information that may aid decision-making among the different healthcare consumers (Miner et al. 2016). Therefore, the paper aims to describe the PTSD Coach application and its effectiveness in patient education.

Target audience

The app is tailored for those who may have been diagnosed or have been diagnosed with PTSD (U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (V.A.), 2020). The app provides users with a repertoire of education information regarding PTSD, professional care, and tools that can help stress management. It also allows one to find opportunities for support and self-assessment of PTSD. This app can be utilized by both who are having treatment and those that are not. The app was initially designed for veterans and military service members who had PTSD (V.A., n.d).

Description of PTSD Coach

Methods of Use of the App, Ease Of Use, Adaptability to Learner

The experience of using the app after downloading it was engaging. The app gives a brief tutorial about some of the essential aspects on the first launch. The app has a quite impressive graphical interface and views with the home page having the following items; manage symptoms, track progress, learn, get support. It also gives the options of adding favorite tools such as body scan, deep breathing, grounding, and ambient sounds, among others. The app is relatively easy to navigate and gives explicit instruction in every step. The learn section is essential in providing psychoeducational information. Track symptoms allow for the completion of the DSM 5 PTSD checklist and interpret their symptom. Manage symptoms provides the various tools, and get support allows for easy access to services (Kuhn et al., 2018)

For example, clicking on the manage symptoms icon, one is directed to a constellation of various symptoms. The user is then required to click any of the symptoms and proceed. On clicking on the symptom such as disconnected from people, an additional page known as the distress meter pops where one is needed to rate how they are feeling. This continues to a level that various tools are recommended to the user to manage their stress and the distress level rated again.

The app has various tools that can be utilized by the user. It includes relaxation tools, positive self-talk, anger management, and additional self-help strategies. Additionally, the app permits one to customize the profile, for example integrating personal contacts, photos, and music. The app is relatively easy to use; the learner can adapt quickly to most of the app’s concepts and items. The list of various tools is endless; hence, one can pick the preferred one (VA, 2020).

Effectiveness of the App

Miner et al. (2016) conducted a study to determine the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy trial of PTSD Coach. Most of the patients reported utilizing the app several times a week. They noted that the components in PTSD coach were moderately helpful, and through the utilization of the tool, they have been able to learn about various tools and skills to manage their stress. There was a modest indication for PTSD symptom improvement through utilizing the app though the results were statistically insignificant. The PTSD coach was considered as a feasible and acceptable intervention.

Additionally, Strodl et al. (2020) found out that the app is generally viewed as acceptable and useful by various mental health clinicians. In a study to assess clinicians’ perceptions about the PTSD Coach, who works with the defense members to help manage their mental symptoms, the apps subjective quality was rated to be good by most clinicians. Moreover, most of the participants regarded the app as useful as it helped them track their symptoms. The app also helped them implement various strategies between sessions and improved engagement.

According to Kuhn et al. (2018), a PTSD coach is considered acceptable has been rated as moderately very useful in managing veterans’ symptoms. It also contributes to the reduction of PTSD symptoms after one to three months of use. Moreover, increased utilization of the app is related to improved symptoms. The app also leads to improvement in depression symptoms and psychosocial functioning.

Outcomes, Benefits, and Disadvantages of the App

The design of the app considered usability, technical, legal, and ethical requirements. Since the app is a public resource, it does not collect any personal data. The app is also not entirely dependent on the internet connections after download, allowing it to reach a larger population. The app does not include video content, and the main aim was to be downloaded easily and have low memory use. The app is very beneficial as it allows one to accomplish the goals of accurate descriptions of evidence-based treatments, instillation of hope in the importance of treatment, and reducing the stigma that comes with seeking treatment, as in Kuhn et al. (2018). However, some report that the usability is poor with a deplorable design. The app should also try and provide periodical outdates to help deal with the bugs and various challenges. Finally, it also protects the user’s privacy and is available for both Android and iOS phones (Strodl et al., 2020).

Comparing and Contrasting the Positive and Negative Aspects and the
Effectiveness of the Tool

The app seems very useful and can be easily used and navigated to access the preferred content. Additionally, the app is helpful in managing PTSD symptoms though it has to be noted that the app doesn’t diagnose with PTSD. Most of those who utilized the app stated that it was user-friendly and improved their symptoms. The relaxation tools provided in the app are also handy and easy to use; hence can be applied to manage the stress in various situations. Therefore, the tool’s positive aspects outweigh its negative aspects as the tools have proven effective in most cases. However, like every other mobile application, it has its challenges regarding preference, navigation, and utilization, and this varies from user to user (Kuhn et al., 2018).

Conclusion

Patient education, through the utilization of mobile applications, is becoming prevalent. However, there is a need to determine these apps’ usability and effectiveness and how they can be employed. The PTSD coach has been utilized in helping veterans and the broader civic population deal with PTSD. The app has various benefits though most users also note some barriers. The app is also useful in managing PTSD, although there is still a need to conduct further research on improving its usability and effectiveness. Additional research should be directed towards developing other computerized applications that can be utilized for patient education and other health consumers.

References

Kuhn, E., van der Meer, C., Owen, J. E., Hoffman, J. E., Cash, R., Carrese, P., Olff, M., Bakker, A., Schellong, J., Lorenz, P., Schopp, M., Rau, H., Weidner, K., Arnberg, F. K., Cernvall, M., & Iversen, T. (2018). PTSD Coach around the world. mHealth, 4, 15. https://doi.org/10.21037/mhealth.2018.05.01

Miner, A., Kuhn, E., Hoffman, J. E., Owen, J. E., Ruzek, J. I., & Taylor, C. B. (2016). Feasibility, acceptability, and potential efficacy of the PTSD Coach app: A pilot randomized controlled trial with community trauma survivors. Psychological trauma : theory, research, practice and policy, 8(3), 384–392. https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0000092

Strodl, E., Shakespeare-Finch, J., Alichniewicz, K. K., Brown, K., Quinn, C., Hides, L., White, A., Gossage, G., Poerio, L., Batras, D., Jackson, S., Styles, J., & Kavanagh, D. J. (2020). Clinicians’ perceptions of PTSD Coach Australia. Internet interventions, 21, 100333. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.invent.2020.100333

U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (n.d). PTSD Coach. https://mobile.va.gov/app/ptsd-coach#

U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (2020). PTSD Coach (Version 3.2) [Mobile App]. Google Play Store. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=is.vertical.ptsdcoach&hl=en

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