Date of Award

5-2020

Document Type

Scholarly Project

Degree Name

Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS)

Department

Physician Assistant Studies

First Advisor

Daryl Sieg

Keywords

Telemedicine; Telehealth; E-health; MHealth; Telepsychiatry; Psychiatry; Smartphone; Adolescents; Young Adults; Rural; Mental Health Interventions; Depression; Apps; Smartphone App

Abstract

Background: The incidences of depression and anxiety among adolescent and young adult populations are intensifying, and resources remain limited for the management of these diseases within rural America. Objective: The purpose of this literature review is to evaluate evidence-based practices regarding telemedicine and tech-based mental health interventions. Evaluation of different interventions will demonstrate the ability of access, efficacy, and patient adherence with the hope of decreasing the incidence of disease and increase the availability of resources to rural areas. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was completed by assessing journal articles and scientific databases from the last fifteen years using a variety of keywords and MeSH terms, with limitations set among the population ranging from 13-23 years of age. Databases used included PubMed, PsycINFO, DynaMed Plus, and Cochrane Review Database. Abstracts were carefully reviewed, and then articles were furthermore assessed for quality, evidence, and proper methodology to ensure appropriate data were being represented in an unbiased way. Conclusions: Based on the current completed research, there is a predominance of evidence that has shown moderate statistical data and promising outcomes from tech-based mobile applications and telemental health. Statistical evidence supports that technology-based interventions are a potential treatment option that could assist in the management of mental health symptoms within the adolescent and young adult populations of rural America. However, due to small study sample sizes and the lack of follow up, further longitudinal research is still needed in order to determine adherence and long-term outcomes compared to other methods used in mental health treatments and in-person assessments.

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