Cited by 159Digital Mental Health InterventionsMental Health Treatment and AccessTelemedicine and Telehealth Implementation

Digital Technology for Building Capacity of Nonspecialist Health Workers for Task Sharing and Scaling Up Mental Health Care Globally

Open access
Naslund, John A., Shidhaye, Rahul, Patel, Vikram·2019·Harvard Review of Psychiatry

Abstract

Workforce shortages pose major obstacles to delivering adequate mental health care and scaling up services to address the global treatment gap. Mounting evidence demonstrates the clinical effectiveness of having nonspecialist health workers, such as community health workers, lay health workers, midwives, or nurses, deliver brief psychosocial treatments for common mental disorders in primary care settings. With rapidly increasing access to, and use of, digital technology worldwide, new opportunities are available to leverage these emerging digital technologies to support nonspecialist health workers and increase mental health workforce capacity. This Perspectives article considers the potential that digital technology holds for supporting nonspecialist health workers in delivering evidence-based mental health care. Specifically, from our search of the academic literature, we identified seven promising examples from primary care settings in different low- and middle-income countries (India, Pakistan, Zimbabwe, Peru, China, and Nigeria) where digital platforms are being used to support delivery of mental health care from a variety of nonspecialist providers by offering training, providing digital tools for diagnosis, guiding treatment, facilitating supervision, and integrating services. We summarize these examples and discuss future opportunities to use digital technology for supporting the development of a trained, effective, and sustainable mental health workforce. We also consider the potential to leverage these technologies for integrating mental health care into existing health systems in low-resource settings.

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Crossref · 10.1097/hrp.0000000000000217

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  • Findingown data

    The seven identified examples came from six low-income and middle-income countries: India, Pakistan, Zimbabwe, Peru, China, and Nigeria.

    “These studies were from six low-income and middle-income countries, including India, Pakistan, Zimbabwe, Peru, China, and Nigeria.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    The paper's search identified seven examples of interventions using digital technology to support non-specialist health workers in delivering mental health care.

    “We identified seven examples of interventions using digital technology for supporting non-specialist health workers in the delivery of mental health care.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingnone given

    Mostly, digital technology served to support or reinforce existing evidence-based mental health programs.

    “Importantly, digital technology was largely used to support or strengthen the delivery of existing evidence-based programs for mental health care.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Several projects introduced more sophisticated platforms for supervision, care coordination, and ongoing support.

    “Several projects also introduced more sophisticated platforms to support supervision, care coordination, and ongoing support for non-specialist health workers.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Few studies in the review reported clinically meaningful effectiveness outcomes.

    “We found that few studies reported clinically meaningful effectiveness outcomes.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 20
  • May combine two claims. 39
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The authors summarized seven promising examples from six countries, with evidence ranging from large-scale randomized controlled trials to early stage demonstration and implementation projects.

    “We summarized seven promising examples from six different countries with evidence ranging from large-scale randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, and early stage demonstration and implementation projects.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingreasoning

    In the examples, technology largely served to enhance the role of non-specialist health workers by enabling patient connection, training, supervision, and data collection.

    “As highlighted in the examples here, technology largely served as a tool for enhancing the role of non-specialist health workers by allowing them to connect with and support their patients, access opportunities for training and skill development, receive supervision and support from more specialized providers, and improve data collection and care coordination.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingcitation

    Of the seven examples, four focused on common mental disorders in primary care or community settings, two on perinatal depression, and one on schizophrenia.

    “Four projects focused on common mental disorders in the primary care or community setting24,27,28,32, two projects focused on perinatal depression25,37, and one project leveraged community contacts for supporting care for persons living with schizophrenia.34”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Findingcitation

    Of the seven examples, four were in rural settings, one in both urban and rural settings, and two in urban areas.

    “Four projects were focused in rural settings24,25,28,34, one study was based in both urban and rural settings37, and two projects were based in urban areas.13,32”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
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    Premisecitation

    The SMART mobile decision support system was developed for basic Android devices and used an OpenMRS platform for secure cloud-based data sharing between community health workers and primary care doctors.

    “This mobile decision support system was developed for use on basic Android devices, and used an OpenMRS platform allowing community health workers and primary care doctors to share clinical data securely using the cloud-based servers.28”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [28] Maulik PK, Kallakuri S, Devarapalli S, Vadlamani VK, Jha V, Patel A. Increasing use of mental health services in remote areas using mobile technology: a pre–post evaluation of the SMART Mental Health project in rural India. Journal of global health. 2017; 7(1): 010408. 28400954 PMC5370210 source

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    Premisecitation

    The Atmiyata program includes Android mobile applications, one for champions and one for the public, with e-learning videos and knowledge questions.

    “The program also includes Android mobile applications, with one version for the Atmiyata champions and a separate version for the general public and community members. The mobile app contains basic e-learning videos on mental health for the Atmiyata champions with questions built into the app following each training video to test knowledge of mental health topics.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [24] Shields-Zeeman L, Pathare S, Walters BH, Kapadia-Kundu N, Joag K. Promoting wellbeing and improving access to mental health care through community champions in rural India: the Atmiyata intervention approach. International journal of mental health systems. 2017; 11(1): 6. 28066505 PMC5210275 source

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    Premisecitation

    In Friendship Bench, mobile technology in the form of text messages and phone calls is used to reinforce program content and promote adherence, with up to six messages or calls per patient.

    “Mobile technology in the form of text messages and phone calls is used to reinforce program content and to promote adherence among patients enrolled in the intervention.27 Lay health workers send patients up to 6 text messages or phone calls during the program.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [27] Chibanda D, Bowers T, Verhey R, The Friendship Bench programme: a cluster randomised controlled trial of a brief psychological intervention for common mental disorders delivered by lay health workers in Zimbabwe. International journal of mental health systems. 2015; 9(1): 21. 27408619 PMC4940904 source

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    Premisecitation

    After the fourth Friendship Bench session, patients can choose a peer group led by prior participants; lay health workers can refer non-improvers after six sessions to a mental health-trained supervisor.

    “After the fourth session, participating patients can choose to access a peer group led by prior participants in the Friendship Bench program. The lay health workers can then refer patients who do not improve following the initial 6 sessions to a supervisor with training in mental health for additional support and treatment.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [27] Chibanda D, Bowers T, Verhey R, The Friendship Bench programme: a cluster randomised controlled trial of a brief psychological intervention for common mental disorders delivered by lay health workers in Zimbabwe. International journal of mental health systems. 2015; 9(1): 21. 27408619 PMC4940904 source

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    Premisecitation

    In Zimbabwe primary care, 90% of individuals accessing services own mobile phones, making technology a promising approach for reaching patients.

    “Technology was identified as a promising approach for reaching patients given that most individuals (90%) accessing primary care services own mobile phones.27”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [27] Chibanda D, Bowers T, Verhey R, The Friendship Bench programme: a cluster randomised controlled trial of a brief psychological intervention for common mental disorders delivered by lay health workers in Zimbabwe. International journal of mental health systems. 2015; 9(1): 21. 27408619 PMC4940904 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Atmiyata champions and mitras were provided smartphones to access videos for ongoing training and to refresh their knowledge and skills.

    “Atmiyata champions and mitras were provided smartphones to access videos for ongoing training tools to learn about mental health concepts and to refresh their knowledge and skills.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [24] Shields-Zeeman L, Pathare S, Walters BH, Kapadia-Kundu N, Joag K. Promoting wellbeing and improving access to mental health care through community champions in rural India: the Atmiyata intervention approach. International journal of mental health systems. 2017; 11(1): 6. 28066505 PMC5210275 source

      Not checked in the free run.

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    Premisecitation

    Atmiyata champions were trained to detect mental health problems, provide basic support and counseling, and facilitate referral to mental health professionals.

    “The program involved training community volunteers as “Atmiyata champions” to support the detection of mental health problems, provide basic support and counseling to community members with common mental health disorders, and to facilitate referral to mental health professionals when necessary.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [24] Shields-Zeeman L, Pathare S, Walters BH, Kapadia-Kundu N, Joag K. Promoting wellbeing and improving access to mental health care through community champions in rural India: the Atmiyata intervention approach. International journal of mental health systems. 2017; 11(1): 6. 28066505 PMC5210275 source

      Not checked in the free run.

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    Premisecitation

    Atmiyata is a community-based mental health program in rural India that trains and mobilizes community volunteers to promote wellness, raise awareness, and reduce distress.

    “Atmiyata is a community-based mental health program focused on promoting wellness, raising awareness, and reducing distress by training and mobilizing community volunteers.24”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [24] Shields-Zeeman L, Pathare S, Walters BH, Kapadia-Kundu N, Joag K. Promoting wellbeing and improving access to mental health care through community champions in rural India: the Atmiyata intervention approach. International journal of mental health systems. 2017; 11(1): 6. 28066505 PMC5210275 source

      Not checked in the free run.

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    Premisecitation

    The Atmiyata project was implemented in 41 villages in rural Maharashtra, India, and trained 59 champions and 264 mitras.

    “This project was developed and implemented in 41 villages across rural Maharashtra, India. In total, 59 Atmiyata champions were trained and 264 Atmiyata Mitras were trained.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [24] Shields-Zeeman L, Pathare S, Walters BH, Kapadia-Kundu N, Joag K. Promoting wellbeing and improving access to mental health care through community champions in rural India: the Atmiyata intervention approach. International journal of mental health systems. 2017; 11(1): 6. 28066505 PMC5210275 source

      Not checked in the free run.

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    Premisecitation

    Workforce shortages are major obstacles to delivering adequate mental health care and scaling up services to address the global treatment gap, with the shortage of mental health providers being most severe in low-income and middle-income countries.

    “Workforce shortages pose major obstacles to delivering adequate mental health care, with the paucity of mental health providers being most severe in low-income and middle-income countries.3,4”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [3] Patel V, Chisholm D, Parikh R, Addressing the burden of mental, neurological, and substance use disorders: key messages from Disease Control Priorities. The Lancet. 2016; 387(10028): 1672– 1685. 26454360 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [4] Kakuma R, Minas H, van Ginneken N, Human resources for mental health care: current situation and strategies for action. The Lancet. 2011; 378(9803): 1654– 1663. 22008420 source

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    Premisecitation

    Use of digital technologies for mental health is not as common in most lower income countries, though interest and growth have increased in recent years.

    “Use of digital technologies for mental health is not as common in most lower income countries18, though this has been an important area of increasing interest and growth in recent years.19,20”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [18] Farrington C, Aristidou A, Ruggeri K. mHealth and global mental health: still waiting for the mH 2 wedding? Globalization and health. 2014; 10(1): 1. 24670011 PMC3986901 source

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    • cites [19] Naslund JA, Aschbrenner KA, Araya R, Digital technology for treating and preventing mental disorders in low-income and middle-income countries: a narrative review of the literature. The Lancet Psychiatry. 2017; 4(6): 486– 500. 28433615 PMC5523650 source

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    • cites [20] Fairburn CG, Patel V. The impact of digital technology on psychological treatments and their dissemination. Behaviour research and therapy. 2017; 88: 19– 25. 28110672 PMC5214969 source

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    Premisecitation

    TACTS consists of a tablet-based package with five training sessions covering core techniques and principles of the Thinking Healthy Program, using animated avatars and interactive role-plays.

    “TACTS consists of a tablet-based package with five training sessions covering core techniques and principles of the Thinking Healthy Program. Animated ‘avatars’ depict culturally appropriate characters that narrate the sessions and convey the instructional content. The sessions are interactive, and include role-plays to address real-life challenging situations and to reinforce the content and key”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [25] Zafar S, Sikander S, Hamdani SU, The effectiveness of Technology-assisted Cascade Training and Supervision of community health workers in delivering the Thinking Healthy Program for perinatal depression in a post-conflict area of Pakistan–study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials. 2016; 17(1): 188. 27048477 PMC4822299 source

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    Premisecitation

    There is widespread consensus that integrating mental health services into primary and community healthcare settings and task-sharing are essential for addressing the global treatment gap.

    “There is widespread consensus that integrating mental health services into primary and community healthcare settings and task-sharing are essential for addressing the global treatment gap.7,8”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [7] Baingana F, Al’Absi M, Becker AE, Pringle B. Global research challenges and opportunities for mental health and substance-use disorders. Nature. 2015; 527(7578): S172– S177. 26580324 PMC6368440 source

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    • cites [8] Fairburn CG, Patel V. The global dissemination of psychological treatments: a road map for research and practice. American Journal of Psychiatry. 2014; 171(5): 495– 498. 24788281 source

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    Premisecitation

    By early 2018, there were over 5.1 billion unique mobile users, over 3.1 billion social media users, and over 4 billion Internet users.

    “By early 2018, it was estimated that there were over 5.1 billion unique mobile users, representing over two thirds of the world’s population, over 3.1 billion social media users, and over 4 billion Internet users.16”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [16] Kemp S Digital in 2018: World’s Internet Users Pass the 4 Billion Mark. 2018; https://wearesocial.com/blog/2018/01/global-digital-report-2018. Accessed May 9, 2018.

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Agarwal and colleagues' framework conceptualizes digital technology support for frontline health workers hierarchically along their professional careers.

    “Furthermore, in the framework proposed by Agarwal and colleagues (2015), the ways in which digital technology can support frontline health workers is conceptualized according to a hierarchical framework along the duration of their professional careers.23”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [23] Agarwal S, Perry HB, Long LA, Labrique AB. Evidence on feasibility and effective use of mHealth strategies by frontline health workers in developing countries: systematic review. Tropical medicine & international health. 2015; 20(8): 1003– 1014. 25881735 PMC4692099 source

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  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The Friendship Bench intervention is delivered by lay health workers in Zimbabwe and focuses on individual problem-solving for depression and other common mental disorders.

    “The Friendship Bench intervention is delivered by lay health workers and focuses on individual problem-solving, and is based on an extensive body of prior research and community efforts focused on targeting depression and other common mental disorders in Zimbabwe.27”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [27] Chibanda D, Bowers T, Verhey R, The Friendship Bench programme: a cluster randomised controlled trial of a brief psychological intervention for common mental disorders delivered by lay health workers in Zimbabwe. International journal of mental health systems. 2015; 9(1): 21. 27408619 PMC4940904 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The Thinking Healthy Program is a culturally adapted psychosocial intervention delivered by lady health workers that previously demonstrated effectiveness for treating perinatal depression in Pakistan.

    “The Thinking Healthy Program is a culturally adapted intervention involving psychosocial treatment delivered by lady health workers that has previously demonstrated effectiveness at successfully treating perinatal depression in Pakistan.26”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [26] Rahman A, Malik A, Sikander S, Roberts C, Creed F. Cognitive behaviour therapy-based intervention by community health workers for mothers with depression and their infants in rural Pakistan: a cluster-randomised controlled trial. The Lancet. 2008; 372(9642): 902– 909. PMC2603063 18790313 source

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    Premisecitation

    The LEAN digital platform uses checklists to help lay health supporters and patients detect relapse signs, monitor medication use, and deliver educational content about schizophrenia, treatment, and rehabilitation.

    “Through the digital platform, checklists are used to assist lay health supporters and patients in detecting signs of relapse, monitoring medication use, and delivering general educational content about schizophrenia, treatment, and rehabilitation.34”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [34] Xu DR, Gong W, Caine ED, Lay health supporters aided by a mobile phone messaging system to improve care of villagers with schizophrenia in Liuyang, China: protocol for a randomised control trial. BMJ open. 2016; 6(1): e010120. PMC4735204 26792221

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    Premisecitation

    Allillanchu primary care providers reported feeling more aware of the importance of patients' mental health and having more knowledge and skills to provide mental health care.

    “The primary care providers reported that they felt more aware of the importance of caring for their patients’ mental health concerns, and indicated that they had more knowledge and skills needed to provide mental health care.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [32] Diez-Canseco F, Toyama M, Ipince A, Integration of a Technology-Based Mental Health Screening Program Into Routine Practices of Primary Health Care Services in Peru (The Allillanchu Project): Development and Implementation. Journal of medical Internet research. 2018; 20(3): e100. 29588272 PMC5893885 source

      Not checked in the free run.

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    Premisecitation

    In SMART, pre-recorded messages were sent to individuals who screened positive to promote adherence and continuation of care.

    “Pre-recorded messages were also sent to individuals who screened positive to promote adherence and continuation of care as recommended by the community health workers and primary care doctors.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [28] Maulik PK, Kallakuri S, Devarapalli S, Vadlamani VK, Jha V, Patel A. Increasing use of mental health services in remote areas using mobile technology: a pre–post evaluation of the SMART Mental Health project in rural India. Journal of global health. 2017; 7(1): 010408. 28400954 PMC5370210 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given

    The success of new digital technology strategies likely depends on whether they can integrate seamlessly into fragmented and under-resourced health systems.

    “The success of new strategies involving use of digital technology likely will depend on whether these technologies can integrate seamlessly into already fragmented and heavily under-resourced health systems.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    LEAN involves lay health supporters, mostly family members or community volunteers, who assist with supervising medication use, monitoring relapse and side effects, and supporting referrals and urgent hospital access.

    “The LEAN program actively involves lay health supporters who are mostly family members or community volunteers to assist with supervising medication use, monitoring relapse and side effects, and supporting referrals and access to urgent hospital care.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [34] Xu DR, Gong W, Caine ED, Lay health supporters aided by a mobile phone messaging system to improve care of villagers with schizophrenia in Liuyang, China: protocol for a randomised control trial. BMJ open. 2016; 6(1): e010120. PMC4735204 26792221

      Not checked in the free run.

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    Premisecitation

    The Allillanchu mobile screening app yields immediate results about symptoms requiring treatment and provides treatment recommendations and follow-up guidance.

    “The mobile screening app yields immediate results about patients’ symptoms that may require treatment, and provides guidance regarding treatment recommendations and follow up to ensure that effective action was taken.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [32] Diez-Canseco F, Toyama M, Ipince A, Integration of a Technology-Based Mental Health Screening Program Into Routine Practices of Primary Health Care Services in Peru (The Allillanchu Project): Development and Implementation. Journal of medical Internet research. 2018; 20(3): e100. 29588272 PMC5893885 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    In Allillanchu, screening data is captured in real time on a web-based platform that allows the research team to monitor progress continuously.

    “When primary care providers screen patients using the mobile application, data is captured in real time using a web-based data collection platform that allows the research team to continuously monitor progress.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [32] Diez-Canseco F, Toyama M, Ipince A, Integration of a Technology-Based Mental Health Screening Program Into Routine Practices of Primary Health Care Services in Peru (The Allillanchu Project): Development and Implementation. Journal of medical Internet research. 2018; 20(3): e100. 29588272 PMC5893885 source

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  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    LEAN seeks to capitalize on China's '686' initiative and address poor medication adherence and high relapse rates.

    “The program seeks to capitalize on the recent ‘686’ countrywide initiative in China to provide practical community-based mental healthcare services35, and address ongoing challenges with poor medication adherence and high rates of relapse.36”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [35] Good BJ, Good M-JD. Significance of the 686 Program for China and for global mental health. Shanghai archives of psychiatry. 2012; 24(3): 175– 177. 25324623 PMC4198850 source

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    • cites [36] Li Q, Huang X, Wen H, Liang X, Lei L, Wu J. Retrospective analysis of treatment effectiveness among patients in Mianyang Municipality enrolled in the national community management program for schizophrenia. Shanghai archives of psychiatry. 2012; 24(3): 131– 139. 25324617 PMC4198844 source

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  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    While access to digital technology remains lower in rural or highly impoverished settings, a substantial proportion of the global population has gained access to mobile devices, web platforms, smartphones, and other digital applications in recent years.

    “While access to digital technology remains lower in rural areas or in highly impoverished settings, a substantial proportion of the global population has gained access to mobile devices, web platforms, smartphones, and other digital applications in recent years, thereby highlighting new opportunities to make evidence-based mental health interventions available to those in need.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [16] Kemp S Digital in 2018: World’s Internet Users Pass the 4 Billion Mark. 2018; https://wearesocial.com/blog/2018/01/global-digital-report-2018. Accessed May 9, 2018.

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    LEAN's effectiveness is currently being evaluated against usual community care in a large-scale randomized controlled trial in 9 villages in rural townships of Hunan province, with medication adherence as primary outcome and symptoms and functioning as secondary outcomes.

    “The effectiveness of this program is currently being evaluated compared to usual community care within a large scale randomized controlled trial in 9 villages in rural townships of Hunan province, with medication adherence as the primary outcome, and symptoms and functioning as secondary outcomes.34”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [34] Xu DR, Gong W, Caine ED, Lay health supporters aided by a mobile phone messaging system to improve care of villagers with schizophrenia in Liuyang, China: protocol for a randomised control trial. BMJ open. 2016; 6(1): e010120. PMC4735204 26792221

      Not checked in the free run.

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    Premisecitation

    Over a 9-week Allillanchu period, 1772 patients were enrolled, 733 were screened, 159 (22%) screened positive for a mental disorder, primarily depression or anxiety (n=125), 155 were referred, and all positive patients received follow-up texts.

    “Over a 9-week period, 1772 patients were enrolled in the primary care facility, of which 733 were screened by the primary care providers using the digital platform. Of these, 159 (22%) screened positive for a mental disorder, primarily depression or anxiety (n=125). Most (n=155) were referred to mental health care, and all patients who screened positive received follow up text messages from the”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [32] Diez-Canseco F, Toyama M, Ipince A, Integration of a Technology-Based Mental Health Screening Program Into Routine Practices of Primary Health Care Services in Peru (The Allillanchu Project): Development and Implementation. Journal of medical Internet research. 2018; 20(3): e100. 29588272 PMC5893885 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    LEAN includes an award system where patients earn points redeemable for small prizes for responding to reminder text messages.

    “In this program, there is an award system to promote motivation by allowing patients to earn points that can be redeemed for small prizes for responding to reminder text messages sent from the e-platform.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [34] Xu DR, Gong W, Caine ED, Lay health supporters aided by a mobile phone messaging system to improve care of villagers with schizophrenia in Liuyang, China: protocol for a randomised control trial. BMJ open. 2016; 6(1): e010120. PMC4735204 26792221

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    EXPONATE is a stepped care intervention for perinatal depression in Nigeria that uses mobile technology.

    “EXPONATE (Expanding Care for Perinatal Women with Depression) is a multicomponent stepped care intervention for perinatal depression in Nigeria supported with mobile technology.37”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [37] Gureje O, Oladeji BD, Araya R, Expanding care for perinatal women with depression (EXPONATE): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial of an intervention package for perinatal depression in primary care. BMC psychiatry. 2015; 15(1): 136. 26122982 PMC4486135 source

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  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

    Interpretationreasoning

    Widespread access to and use of digital technology across most settings globally may yield new opportunities to build a proficient and sustainable mental health workforce.

    “As we highlight in the following section, the widespread access to and use of digital technology across most settings globally may yield new opportunities to achieve this aim.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Across most lower-income settings, few efforts have used digital technologies specifically to support task-sharing and build non-specialist health worker capacity.
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    This finding is consistent with a systematic review of 42 studies on digital technology for frontline health workers, which showed support for feasibility and acceptability but lacking robust effectiveness evidence.

    “This is consistent with a systematic review of 42 studies broadly using digital technology to support the roles of frontline health workers for delivering care for a range of health conditions.23 This prior review showed that despite considerable support for the feasibility and acceptability of using digital approaches, robust evidence on effectiveness was lacking.23”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [23] Agarwal S, Perry HB, Long LA, Labrique AB. Evidence on feasibility and effective use of mHealth strategies by frontline health workers in developing countries: systematic review. Tropical medicine & international health. 2015; 20(8): 1003– 1014. 25881735 PMC4692099 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    In SMART, over 5000 patients were screened for common mental disorders, of whom 238 screened positive and were referred to primary care doctors.

    “During this time, over 5000 patients were screened for common mental disorders of which 238 were identified as being positive and were referred to the primary care doctors for treatment.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [28] Maulik PK, Kallakuri S, Devarapalli S, Vadlamani VK, Jha V, Patel A. Increasing use of mental health services in remote areas using mobile technology: a pre–post evaluation of the SMART Mental Health project in rural India. Journal of global health. 2017; 7(1): 010408. 28400954 PMC5370210 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The Allillanchu digital platform appeared to be a successful tool for optimizing detection and referral and for supporting primary care providers in a low-resource setting.

    “The digital platform appeared to be a successful tool for optimizing detection and referral processes, and for supporting primary care providers in a low-resource setting.32”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [32] Diez-Canseco F, Toyama M, Ipince A, Integration of a Technology-Based Mental Health Screening Program Into Routine Practices of Primary Health Care Services in Peru (The Allillanchu Project): Development and Implementation. Journal of medical Internet research. 2018; 20(3): e100. 29588272 PMC5893885 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationreasoning

    With rapidly increasing access to and use of digital technology worldwide, there may be new opportunities to leverage emerging digital technologies to support non-specialist health workers and increase mental health workforce capacity.

    “With rapidly increasing access to and use of digital technology worldwide, there may be new opportunities to leverage these emerging digital technologies to support non-specialist health workers and increase mental health workforce capacity.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Across most lower-income settings, few efforts have used digital technologies specifically to support task-sharing and build non-specialist health worker capacity.
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Premisecitation

    It is necessary to recruit sufficient personnel to train and supervise non-specialist health workers.

    “It is necessary to recruit sufficient personnel to train and supervise these providers.15”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [15] Kazdin AE. Addressing the treatment gap: A key challenge for extending evidence-based psychosocial interventions. Behaviour research and therapy. 2017; 88: 7– 18. 28110678 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    EXPONATE was adapted from a Nigerian primary care depression stepped care program and included mhGAP recommendations.

    “The EXPONATE intervention was adapted from a stepped care program for depression in primary care previously developed and tested in Nigeria38, and incorporated key treatment recommendations outlined in the mhGAP program.30”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [38] Oladeji BD, Kola L, Abiona T, Montgomery AA, Araya R, Gureje O. A pilot randomized controlled trial of a stepped care intervention package for depression in primary care in Nigeria. BMC psychiatry. 2015; 15(1): 96. 25929840 PMC4424568 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [30] World Health Organization. mhGAP training manuals for the mhGAP intervention guide for mental, neurological and substance use disorders in non-specialized health settings-version 2.0 (for field testing). Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization; 2017.

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    The community-based LEAN program in rural China aims to improve medication adherence and relapse prevention among people with schizophrenia.

    “The community-based LEAN program aims to improve medication adherence and relapse prevention among people living with schizophrenia in rural China.34”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [34] Xu DR, Gong W, Caine ED, Lay health supporters aided by a mobile phone messaging system to improve care of villagers with schizophrenia in Liuyang, China: protocol for a randomised control trial. BMJ open. 2016; 6(1): e010120. PMC4735204 26792221

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Collaborating closely with non-specialist health workers on digital intervention development could help uncover misperceptions and stigmatizing views about mental disorders and allow content to address them.

    “By working closely with non-specialist health workers to develop digital interventions, it could also yield opportunities to identify misperceptions and stigmatizing views about mental disorders, making it possible to include content aimed at responding to these concerns.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Digital technologies have great potential to boost the capacity, skills, and support of non-specialist health workers in low-resource settings, helping reduce the global mental health burden.

    “There is immense potential to leverage the increasing availability and reach of digital technologies to enhance the capacity, skills, and support for non-specialist health workers in low-resource settings towards alleviating the global burden of mental disorders.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    In that report, about 40% of projects used smartphones, and just one focused on mental health.

    “Roughly 40% of the projects included in this prior report used smartphones, yet only one project targeted mental health.41”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [41] Agarwal S, Rosenblum L, Goldschmidt T, Carras M, Labrique A. Mobile technology in support of frontline health workers. A comprehensive overview of the landscape knowledge gaps and future directions. Johns Hopkins University Global mHealth Initiative; 2016.

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Individuals with less severe depression or common mental disorders may be treated directly by non-specialist health workers, while those with complex disorders may be referred to specialists.

    “For example, individuals who are distressed or who have less severe forms of depression or other common mental disorders may be treated directly by non-specialist health workers, while individuals with increasingly complex mental disorders may be referred to more specialized providers.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductreasoning

    The literature search for this perspectives article was not systematic; it was a narrative review expanding on four recent reviews to select promising examples.

    “First, our search of the literature was not systematic as we intentionally employed a narrative review expanding on four recent relevant reviews to identify the selection of highly promising examples summarized here.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Non-specialist health workers usually face many chronic health conditions in their work.

    “This is especially relevant for non-specialist health workers, as they typically encounter a large burden of chronic health conditions in their work.47”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [47] Patel V, Chatterji S. Integrating mental health in care for noncommunicable diseases: an imperative for person-centered care. Health Affairs. 2015; 34(9): 1498– 1505. 26355051

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    Based on the examples, digital technology can aid communication, data collection, patient tracking, monitoring, and training, all needed to integrate evidence-based mental health care into services for other non-communicable diseases.

    “Drawing from the examples summarized here, digital technology can facilitate communication, data collection, patient tracking and monitoring, and training and skill development, all of which are necessary for successfully integrating evidence-based mental health care within existing services for other non-communicable diseases.46”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [46] Patel V, Belkin GS, Chockalingam A, Cooper J, Saxena S, Unützer J. Grand challenges: integrating mental health services into priority health care platforms. PloS medicine. 2013; 10(5): e1001448. 23737736 PMC3666874 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductreasoning

    The review drew only on published peer-reviewed examples, so it might have missed some evidence and unpublished projects.

    “Further, we only considered examples from the published peer-reviewed literature. Therefore, we may not have fully captured the scope of evidence and possible unpublished projects.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
50 of 50
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Non-specialist health workers need ongoing supervision and support to prevent fatigue and burnout and to sustain high-quality care over time.

    “Additionally, non-specialist health workers require ongoing supervision and support to prevent fatigue and worker burnout, and to ensure sustainability and continued delivery of high quality care.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Across most lower-income settings, few efforts have used digital technologies specifically to support task-sharing and build non-specialist health worker capacity.

    “However, across most lower income settings, there have been few efforts to employ digital technologies for specifically supporting task-sharing and developing the capacity of non-specialist health workers to meet the care needs of individuals living with mental disorders.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Effective training programs for non-specialist health workers must be tailored to the culture and context of diverse settings.

    “Despite successful task-sharing efforts, a key challenge is the need for effective training programs tailored to the culture and context of non-specialist health workers from diverse settings.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Training programs must ensure successful uptake of skills and knowledge for detecting and treating a range of mental disorders in different settings.

    “Training programs need to be designed to ensure successful uptake of skills and knowledge for detecting and treating a range of mental disorders in different settings.”
4 of 4

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

  • Depression effect estimate is off-center in its confidence interval

    Major

    The reported PHQ-9 confidence interval has a midpoint of −5.86, rather than the stated adjusted mean difference of −6.36. Unlike the preceding SSQ-14 interval, it is markedly asymmetric around its estimate, suggesting that an endpoint or the estimate is misstated.

    Reported -6.36 · recomputed -5.86

  • Trained Mitras exceed the stated village allocation

    Minor

    At 4-5 Mitras per village, 41 villages would have at most 205 assigned Mitras, not 264. The text does not explain whether some trained Mitras were left unassigned.

    Reported 5 · recomputed 6.439024

2 of 2

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Naslund, J. A., Shidhaye, R., & Patel, V.
Affiliations
Harvard University (US)
Corresponding author
Naslund, John A.
Venue
Harvard Review of Psychiatry
Published
2019-05
Volume
27
Issue
3
Pages
181-192
ISSN
  • 1067-3229 (ISSN-L)
  • 1465-7309
OpenAlex
W2927028788
Cited by
159
References
48
Citations by year
2026: 22 · 2025: 17 · 2024: 46 · 2023: 31 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 19 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 3
FWCI
1.52
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Harvard Review of Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health (5u19mh113211-05)
  • National Institute of Mental Health (U19 MH-113211)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Digital Mental Health Interventions
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health Treatment and Access
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Telemedicine and Telehealth Implementation
Keywords
digital technologies, task sharing, community health workers, lay health workers, common mental disorders, primary care, low- and middle-income countries, digital training platform, clinical supervision, mental health integration, treatment gap
MeSH terms
Mental Disorders, Community Health Workers, Computer-Assisted Instruction, Developing Countries, Health Workforce, Humans, Psychotherapy, Brief, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Capacity Building

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-10-06.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-10-06.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

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