Mobile Health Application for Family and Behavioral Health Provider Communication

Clinical monitoring of mental health status has not evolved much from the routine meeting between patient and clinician, which suffers from a lack of quantification, irregular and anecdotal reporting, and does not necessarily include input from family. This is unfortunate given current technology, in which people routinely volunteer to track their own health related behavior, such as exercise and sleep, via smartphone. This same technology could be used by clinicians to improve the timeliness, accuracy, and quality of care, in part by leveraging input from family, as well as patients. To address this opportunity, we propose SupportTeam, a mobile application that collects, analyzes, and monitors the input about the status and behavior of patients suffering from PTSD/TBI. SupportTeam is novel because it includes input from family, as well as patients, and uses statistical techniques to help personalize, analyze, and focus treatment. Data and results will be securely transmitted and stored, for processing and subsequent clinical review. In addition to building SupportTeam, we will conduct an experimental trial to measure its impact on providers, patients, and families in the context of cognitive behavioral therapy for veterans with PTSD.