Digital Health Is Not Just for Millennials - Ieso Digital Health

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Ieso Digital Health

09 Nov, 2017, 10:25 GMT

CAMBRIDGE, England, November 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

- New study shows that the number of UK seniors receiving  online therapy is significant and growing

- Older men outnumber older women accessing online mental health  

While digital health technology adoption has consistently been higher amongst younger generations, a new study 'The Use of Internet-Enabled Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in the Treatment of Depression and Anxiety amongst Older People' which will be published in the December 2017 International Journal of Aging and Society, shows how rapidly increasing levels of internet access amongst overs 65s, means that that the number of seniors now receiving online cognitive therapy (IECBT) in the UK is a significant and growing cohort. The study also found that a greater than expected proportion of patients having IECBT are older men, compared to traditional therapy methods. 

Speaking about this study, Sarah Bateup Chief Clinical Officer at Ieso Digital Health and co-author of this study said:  

"This is an important study as it confirms that digital health is not just for millennials and shows how technology is being embraced by older people too[1]. Online therapy (IECBT) offers an opportunity to reach older adults who are less likely to be referred for psychological therapy by their GP. Older people are much more vulnerable to mental health problems compared to younger adults. Two out of ten older men (22%) and almost one third of older women (28%) are affected by depression, compared to one in five adults in the general population.[2]

"It's estimated that only 15% of older people with depression receive any help at all from the NHS[3].  IECBT provides older people with an important new way to access mental health care as it removes the perceived stigma by conferring a greater sense of privacy and can be accessed from home which is particularly beneficial if a patient is physically unwell or if mobility or transportation is a barrier to attending appointments say Sarah Bateup."

"To date it has been widely accepted that women find it easier to seek help for mental health issues, compared to men, however this study's findings show another important shift when it comes to gender divides and older men now outnumber older women accessing IECBT" says Bateup.

IECBT, mirrors face-to-face therapy in that it involves synchronous real-time communication between therapist and patient in therapy sessions.  However, communication in IECBT takes place via typing in a secure virtual therapy room. The transcript of each session, conducted in this way, is encrypted and held on a secure site for both therapist and patient to access at any time. In addition to a weekly CBT appointment, therapist and patient can also communicate between sessions.  This is particularly useful if a patient is experiencing difficulties or distress between therapy appointments.

IECBT is also making mental health delivery more effective and cost efficient: 

  • With Ieso IECBT there is an average reduction in treatment length of 30%.[4]
  • Ieso reduces health system costs by over 50% (York Health Economics Consortium 2016).
  • Ieso has made it possible, for the first time ever, to monitor & analyse therapist adherence to clinical protocols.
  • Ieso provides on-going training and development programmes for therapists in Ieso's network of 450+ therapists.
  • 75% of therapists have recommended Ieso to other therapists.

About Ieso Digital Health: 

  • Ieso Digital Health provides digitally-enhanced mental health care services to health providers, private individuals, and businesses. Founded by psychologists, and harnessing a pioneering intelligent technology platform, the company's mission is to provide accessible, affordable, convenient and accountable mental health care. Ieso's intelligent platform and evidence-based clinical programs enable more cost-effective and productive solutions for health care providers and other companies.
  • Ieso offers secure, one-to-one, real-time cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) programs that have been clinically validated (of The Lancet, 2009). Delivered by accredited therapists, providers are trained, monitored and supervised to adhere to the clinical protocols developed by the company's world-class clinical team. Ieso's revolutionary technology platform continuously improves by applying artificial intelligence and machine learning to constantly enhance its digital and therapist support.
  • The personalized care can be offered at scale, is cost effective, and removes significant barriers such as stigma and accessibility that can prevent treatment. Headquartered in the U.K., Ieso Digital Health is the leading provider of CBT in Europe, and is now available to US based providers and patients. For more information, visit http://www.iesohealth.com

'The Use of Internet-Enabled Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in the Treatment of Depression and Anxiety amongst Older People, International Journal of Aging and Society Vol 8, Issue 1 (Dec 17) 

This paper reports on the experience of internet-enabled cognitive behavioural therapy (IECBT) for older people diagnosed with depression and anxiety. IECBT involves synchronous real-time communication between the therapist and patient via instant messaging and has been found to be effective in the treatment of patients over eighteen diagnosed with depression. While younger populations are an obvious focus for studies into the potential of internet based therapies, older people's experience of such therapies can be overlooked due to assumptions about their relatively lower rates of internet use. However, rapid increases in this generation's levels of internet access make this an important avenue of enquiry. In addition, such therapies may offer a route to address the underdiagnoses and under treatment of depression and anxiety among older people. Once older people are diagnosed, evidence suggests that they tend to prefer psychological therapies, and these can be effective in this age group. This article for the first time, analyses quantitative data relating to older people's use of online therapy.

References:

1. Edwards, Duffy, and Kelly (2016)
2. Mental Health Foundation, November 2017
3. Mental Health Foundation November 2017
4. NHS IAPT data November 2017

For further information or interview requests with Ieso CCO, Sarah Bateup, please contact:

Rachel Dalton Communications:

C: Rachel Dalton
E: rdalton@rdcommunications.ie  
M: +353-863-825-895

PDF - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/600839/Ieso_Digital_Health_Study_PDF.pdf