Feijt MA, de Kort YAW, Bongers IMB, Ijsselsteijn WA. (2018).Perceived drivers and barriers to the adoption of eMental health by psychologists: The construction of the Levels of Adoption of eMental Health model. Journal of Medical Internet Research. 20(4): e153. doi: 10.2196/jmir.9485
Researchers interviewed 12 practicing clinical psychologists in the Netherlands about their perceptions of adopting digital mental health tools (eMental health) to guide the development of a model describing adoption of eMental health by psychologists. Interviews lasted 45-60 minutes and consisted of questions about experiences with, and perceptions of, using eMental health in clinical practice. Interviews were recorded and transcribed and coded for common themes. Themes included: 1) general characteristics of eMental health (e.g., inferiority to face-to-face therapy, need for therapies that adapt to user needs, special skills needed with technology), 2) perceived drivers to adoption (e.g., enhancement of face-to-face therapy, client convenience, increased efficiency), 3) perceived barriers to adoption (e.g., lack of awareness of available eMental health tools, lack of time to learn about eMental health, technological issues), and 4) contextual factors (e.g., perceived pressure to adopt, lack of visibility of eMental health). Based on participant responses, researchers developed the Levels of Adoption of eMental Health (LAMH) model, which maps participant-identified factors affecting adoption to stages of adoption proposed by the theory of Diffusion of Innovations (i.e. innovators, early adopters, early majority, late majority, laggards). Participants were invited to complete another interview about the resulting model. Participants (n=11) reported the LAMH model was generally an accurate representation of adoption of eMental health by psychologists. Researchers made minor changes to model content and presentation to improve fit to participant experiences and clarity, respectively.