Computerised health interventions targeting Australian veterans and their families: A scoping review

Abstract

AbstractIssue AddressedAustralian veterans suffer higher rates of both mental and physical health conditions than civilians, yet many do not seek treatment. Computerised Interventions (CIs) may provide an alternative approach to management, which can overcome some barriers to treatment uptake. We aim to evaluate the scope and quality of CIs designed specifically for Australian veterans and their families.MethodsA manual search of the Department of Veterans' Affairs and other Ex‐service organisation websites was performed to map and describe CIs for Australian veterans and their families, followed by a scoping review of four databases to identify evaluations of relevant CIs.ResultsOur search identified 10 CIs specific to Australian veterans and their families. The majority were structured, self‐guided CIs, designed to elicit cognitive/behavioural change that addressed mental health and psychosocial needs during transition. Three evaluations examined previously identified CIs. The results showed mixed reviews from participants and clinicians, in two separate evaluations, regarding user experience, quality and perceived benefit. In addition, positive psychological outcomes, including the reduction of post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, were demonstrated for participants of the online intervention.ConclusionWhile Australian veteran‐centric online interventions primarily focus on psychological conditions, the prevalent physical health concerns within the veteran population remain unaddressed. Additionally, despite the documented impact of military experience on family members, there is a lack of specific Australian interventions designed for families. Few tools have been formally evaluated, yet show promise as supportive self‐directed resources for veterans with PTSD, and for navigating transition challenges.So What?Further development of online interventions addressing prevalent physical and family needs, and conduction of comprehensive evaluations are needed to enhance overall quality, accessibility and holistic effectiveness of interventions for the Australian veteran community.