Still scratching your head about how to select and suggest apps in clinical practice? You are not alone.
In fact, with more than 10,000 mobile, behavioral apps already in the marketplace, there is little federal oversight or substantial research identifying which health care apps are both safe and clinically valid. The development of a clear evidence-base regarding clinical apps has been outpaced by developers who launch new clinical apps on a weekly basis. Clinicians, consumers and their loved ones are confused.
Meanwhile, articles about the “best” behavioral and mental health apps for a wide variety of issues continue to surface, as do questions from clients and patients about which app can be the most helpful. Many well-informed professionals know that app reviews in public forums can be highly skewed and therefore misleading, but with a lack of readily available professional training on the topic, how can they proceed?
To address the problem, the American Psychological Association (APA) is co-sponsoring a FREE webinar with the Coalition for Technology in Behavioral Science (CTiBS) to bring three leading app-focused researchers and trainers to your desktop in October. CTiBS has been focused on helping the spectrum of behavioral professions advance the responsible use of technology in clinical practice for almost a decade.
Dr. Marlene Maheu will introduce the CTiBS framework for telebehavioral health competencies and set the stage for an invigorating discussion with Drs. Shawna Wright and Stephen Schueller about the applicability of evidence-based competencies to the use of apps in clinical settings. This FREE APA/CTiBS webinar program will feature a lively discussion about the key issues related to behavioral apps in clinical practice.
Specific topics to be addressed in this “apps in clinical practice” webinar will include:
- Practical, legal and ethical considerations for identifying appropriate apps
- Privacy policies
- Integrating apps into a treatment plan
- Proper documentation
- The formal introduction of an app
- Assuring an apps’ fit with the treatment model and orientation
- User experience/troubleshooting
- How to track app effectiveness
- Other research issues
Who? Anyone with an internet connection can participate
What? Free a 60-minute webinar called “Apps in Clinical Practice”
Where? Register through the APA website, (linked here)
When? October 2, at 2:00 p.m. EDT
How Much? FREE
*This webinar is a collaborative effort between the American Psychological Association, The Coalition for Technology in Behavioral Science and a an interdivisional group of forward-thinking leaders led by Jack Tsai of APA Division 18 in collaboration with the leadership of nine other APA Divisions (19, 29, 31, 32, 37, 42, 46, 53, and 56). This is the first of a planned series of APA/CTiBS co-sponsored events.
Speaker Bios
Marlene M. Maheu, PhD, has been a technology-focused pioneer since 1994. As the Executive Director of the Telebehavioral Health Institute, LLC. (TBHI), she has overseen the development and delivery of CME/CE professional training to professionals from 76 countries worldwide. The TBHI training is available both online and in-person to address a wide spectrum of telehealth and technology topics for the program director or clinician seeking evidence-based guidance.
Shawna Wright, PhD, is the Associate Director of KU’s Center for Telemedicine & Telehealth. Through her experience with providing treatment to rural and underserved populations, she is acutely aware of the impact of the shortage of providers, and she sees the promise of telehealth for improving access to care.
Stephen Schueller, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Psychological Science at the University of California, Irvine. His work focuses on making mental health services more accessible and available through technology.