BACKGROUND
In recent years, internet- and mobile-based interventions gained relevance in mental health care. Psychotherapists' perspectives are crucial in identifying potential improvements as well as barriers to the implementation of these interventions.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to explore psychotherapists’ perspectives on the barriers and facilitating conditions to internet- and mobile-based interventions.
METHODS
The study consisted of a qualitative research design, utilizing open items on a cross-sectional survey. In total, 350 psychotherapists were asked to provide their opinion on different aspects of internet- and mobile-based interventions in written form. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data and to identify core themes.
RESULTS
The analysis revealed 11 core themes on using internet- and mobile-based interventions, falling into the four superordinate categories: 1) “Applicability” (“Disorder-related Limitations”, “Facilitating Structures”, “Psychotherapeutic Specialization”, “Role in Mental Health Care”); 2) “Treatment Resources” (“Lack of Information”, “Costs and Efforts”); 3) “Technology” (“Technical Constraints”, “Technical Requirements and Functions”, “Data Protection and Privacy”); and 4) “Perceived Risks and Barriers” (“Perceived Risks and Barriers for Patients”, and “Perceived Risks and Barriers for Psychotherapists”).
CONCLUSIONS
The findings of this study highlight the need for considering psychotherapists’ attitudes in the conceptualization of internet- and mobile-based interventions. It is discussed how these findings can advance both the use of internet- and mobile-based interventions in mental health care and the societal debate revolving around it. Limitations and implications for future research are discussed.