Examining the Perception, Usage Rate and Barriers of Health Care Providers Regarding Electronic Mental Health Interventions for People with Major Depressive Disorder: A Case Study in Baghdad

Abstract

Introduction: The popularity of electronic mental health has grown significantly in recent years owing to its ease of use and availability to individuals seeking mental health assistance. The present research was aimed at examining the healthcare providers’ perception and usage rate of Electronic Mental Health Interventions (EMHIs) in the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). Methods: This descriptive study was conducted in Baghdad in 2022. Family physicians, psychologists, and health care workers employed by health centers constituted the research population. These centers were chosen by regular random sampling. A two-part questionnaire served as the data collection technique. The questionnaire's first section asked about demographics, while its second section asked about awareness, usage and challenges of electronic interventions. The reliability of the questionnaire was evaluated by administering it to a group of ten senior psychologists.. The content validity of the questionnaire was ensured through the review process conducted by a team comprising two general physicians and five psychologists. Spearman's rank, Kendall's tau, and chi-square were used to analyze the data. Results: 384 individuals participated in this study. Only 10% of the participants had been trained in EMHIs, and the rest had never used it. The majority of the participants employed these strategies in the areas of psychological training (26.18%) and peer assistance via online discussion boards (18.70%). Conclusion: Overall, healthcare providers had a limited understanding and utilization of EMHIs. Thus, the development of a clinical curriculum in e-mental health and continuous training for healthcare professionals, including general practitioners, are essential.