Using telehealth to assess depression and suicide ideation and provide mental health interventions to groups of chronically ill adolescents and young adults.
Shawna Wright, Noreen Thompson, Donna Yadrich and 4 others
PMID 33305830WHAT IT FOUND
Telehealth group sessions helped clinicians detect and assess depressive or suicide-related responses in adolescents and young adults on lifelong home parenteral nutrition.
Participants rated the sessions easy and helpful, but the study did not test whether they improved mental health outcomes.
Key findings
01Of 40 patient participants, 25% (n=10) were flagged for possible depression or suicide-related responses.
02Nine of the 10 flagged participants selected a suicide item, and eight of those nine said they would not carry out the thoughts.
03Across the year, all subsequent depression inventory scores were in the normal range, and no suicide ideation was displayed.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study used one group of participants and did not compare them with another group, so it cannot show that the telehealth sessions caused the later normal scores. The sample was small, and participants could hide symptoms or deny concerns; psychological affect may be hard to observe on video. Group sessions may have limited some people from sharing; three participants requested an individual session after the first meeting. The professionals did not provide mental health treatment, so the study tested assessment and support delivery, not treatment outcomes. Technical problems such as dropped or slow connections and security concerns were part of the setting.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that the telehealth sessions treated or prevented depression or suicide. The study did not compare participants with another group, and the professionals did not provide mental health treatment; they screened, assessed safety, and referred participants to local care.