At PULSE Live PsychologyOnline reports out-of-hours therapy success

Out-of-hours therapy for anxiety and depression is proving popular – with 86% of appointments made in the early evening – according to interim data from a project introduced by the Isle of Wight NHS Trust (IOW NHS Trust) to improve access to therapy.

This type of data is unique to PsychologyOnline and provides GPs and commissioners with new insights into patient response to therapy.  The company will be discussing how it collects clinical evidence at Pulse on stand 4.

The IoW project, financed under Commissioning for Quality and Innovation (CQUIN), demonstrates that online therapy from PsychologyOnline is improving access to psychological therapies.

Shelley Weir, interim service lead for the IOW NHS Trust, says that patient choice was part of the decision to include PsychologyOnline within its portfolio of providers.

She adds: “As a largely rural community not everyone has the ability to easily travel to appointments.  With online therapy, our patients don’t have to get on a bus or drive; it can be done from home, which is especially beneficial for people with long-term or recurring mental health problems.

“Patients working on the mainland are rarely back before our office closes at 19:00 for face-to-face treatment. Now they can benefit from therapy after work or at weekends, with less disruption to their lives.”

The Mental Health team at IOW NHS Trust is offering text-based, online CBT to up to 40 patients classified as “step three”.  These patients suffer from moderate to severe mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety and panic disorders, which require a higher intensity intervention.

Data from PsychologyOnline – which uses instant-messaging to deliver one-on-one cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) with an experienced psychotherapist – shows the majority of the appointments were made between 19:00 and 21:00 on a weekday.

The Isle of Wight data also shows that GPs should not be concerned about offering online services to older people.  About 18% of patients referred to the service are over 50 with the oldest being 63.  The online consulting room is simple to use; if patients can send an email they can use the service.

It is also possible to track patient progress through the therapy providing useful data for commissioners on uptake of services. 

PsychologyOnline are showcasing its unique approach to text-based CBT on stand four at Pulse Live at the Manchester Central Convention Centre on 12-13 June 2014 and GPs are welcome to visit to discuss the features and benefits of this innovative service.