Open AccessDeveloping Texting for Relapse Prevention: A Scalable mHealth Program for People With Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorder
Author(s) -
Michele L. Ybarra,
Katrina Rodriguez,
Hannah Madison,
Ramin Mojtabai,
Bernadette Cullen
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
the journal of nervous and mental disease
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.749
H-Index - 123
eISSN - 1539-736X
pISSN - 0022-3018
DOI - 10.1097/nmd.0000000000001037
Subject(s) - schizoaffective disorder , mhealth , schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , relapse prevention , psychiatry , psychology , medicine , clinical psychology , psychosis , psychological intervention
Symptom relapse in people with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder is common and has a negative impact on the course of illness. Here, we describe the development of Texting for Relapse Prevention, a scalable, cost-effective text messaging relapse prevention program that queries patients' "early warning signs" daily. Results of development focus groups and content advisory teams with 25 patients and 19 providers suggest that patients were enthusiastic about the program and thought that receiving daily messages about their symptoms would help them feel supported. Providers also were positive about the idea but worried that the program might interfere with patient-provider communication if patients thought that the messages were coming from providers. Patients found the content positive and actionable. The program was improved to address this feedback. This iterative development process that included multiple stakeholders ensured that the program is feasible and acceptable to both patients and providers.