Exploring the potential of delivering mental health care services using digital technologies in Bangladesh: A qualitative analysis.
Internet Interv
; 29: 100544, 2022 Sep.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1864187
ABSTRACT
Background:
Bangladesh is a lower-middle-income country affected by a severe lack of mental health service availability due to a scarcity of mental health experts, limited mental health literacy, and community stigma. In other low and middle-income countries, the online provision of mental health care services has addressed issues affecting service availability, accessibility, mass awareness of services, and stigma.Objective:
The current study sought to understand stakeholders' perceptions of the potential of digital media-based mental health care delivery in strengthening Bangladesh's mental health system.Method:
Online in-depth interviews were conducted with seven psychiatrists and eleven people with lived experiences of mental health issues. In addition, two online focus groups were conducted with ten psychologists and nine mental health entrepreneurs. A thematic analysis of the audio transcriptions was used to identify themes.Result:
Stakeholders perceived that the benefits of digital media-based mental health services included the potential of increasing the awareness, availability, and accessibility of mental health services. Participants recommended the rehabilitation of existing pathways; the use of social media to raise awareness; and the implementation of strategies that integrate different digital-based services to strengthen the mental health system and foster positive mental health-seeking behaviors.Conclusion:
Growing mental health awareness, combined with the appropriate use of digital media as a platform for distributing information and offering mental services, can help to promote mental health care. To strengthen mental health services in Bangladesh, tailored services, increased network coverage, and training are required on digital mental health.
Bangladesh; CMD, Common Mental Health Disorders; COREQ, Consolidated Reporting Criteria for Qualitative Studies; COVID-19, Coronavirus Disease 2019; DALYs, Disability-Adjusted Life-Years; Digital technology; E-mental health; FGD, Focus Group Discussions; HIC, High Income Country; Health system; IDI, In-Depth Interviews; IRB, Institutional Review Board; Internet; KII, Key Informant Interviews; LMIC, Low and Middle-Income Country; MH, Mental Health; Mental health; PWLE, People with Lived Experiences of Mental Health Issues; UHC, Universal Health Coverage; WHO, World Health Organization
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Type of study:
Experimental Studies
/
Qualitative research
/
Randomized controlled trials
Language:
English
Journal:
Internet Interv
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
J.invent.2022.100544
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