Mental disorders like depression and bipolar disorder impose a very high societal burden in terms of cost, lost productivity, morbidity, suffering, and mortality, and is a leading cause of disability and disease burden worldwide. According to EU, depression-related diseases are among the most pressing public health concern today, and account for more than 7% of all estimated health and premature mortality costs in Europe, only exceeded by heart disease and cancer. According to WHO, mental health is the fastest growing chronic disease and is one of the leading causes to disability worldwide.
In this talk I will present our research into the design of personal health technologies for patients suffering from mental disorders. Based on research done as part of the EU-funded MONARCA project, I will present the user-centred design of the technology and present results from clinical pilot trials. I will also share our experience in being part of “real” randomized clinical trial that seeks to establish clinical evidence for the efficacy of personal health technology in improving treatment outcome. I will reflect upon the challenges of combining a user-centred, agile, flexible design process with a rigours clinical trial.
Frontiers in Digital Health Seminar co-organised by UCLIC and UCL IDH