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Testen van de gebruikersvriendelijkheid van een online psycho-educatie programma bij mensen met een depressie

Oorlog, Aquila (2011) Testen van de gebruikersvriendelijkheid van een online psycho-educatie programma bij mensen met een depressie.

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Abstract:Background: Depressive disorders are very common in the Netherlands, and they come at a huge cost, both social and economically. However, there is a chance of recovery from a depressive disorder. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the therapy which is most frequently used for treating a depressive disorder. Reason for this, is its proved effectiveness. There are, however, disadvantages to CBT in practice. One way to counteract this, is to provide online CBT. With online CBT, waiting time can be filled efficient and waiting lists can dissolve more quickly. Another positive consequence is that therapists can organize their time more effectively. A disadvantage to online CBT, though, are high dropout rates, which has a negative effect on therapy. Dropout could possibly become less, when patients find online therapy easy to use. Therefore, the usability of online therapy could possibly have an influence on the use of it. The mental health institution Dimence in Almelo, the Netherlands, uses an online psycho-education program, based on CBT. Investigated is how patients with a depressive disorder assess the usability of this online psycho-education program, with the intention to search for improvements to the program. Through making technology align to the end user (user-centered), the patient, dropout could reduce, whereby the chance of therapy success could possibly increase. Methods: To investigate how patients with a depressive disorder assess the usability of the online psycho-education program, a usability test was performed. A qualitative research design was used. Four patients of Dimence in Almelo, who are out of therapy for a depressive disorder, where involved in performing the usability test, which consisted of going through six scenarios. All problems patients encountered are categorized as problems with the userfriendliness, problems with the quality of communication or as implementation problems. Results: Patients encountered problems in every scenario. There seems to be a lack of clarity and structure in the program. Problems arose especially with regard to the overview, navigation and explanation of various functions. Conclusion: The usability of this online psycho-education program is not yet optimal en should better align to the patient. Practical suggestions are given in order to improve the usability. Future issues and limitations are discussed.
Item Type:Essay (Master)
Clients:
Minddistrict
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:77 psychology
Programme:Psychology MSc (66604)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/61229
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