The experience of attending an online psychological therapy group
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Patients’ Perspectives and Experiences of Digitally-Delivered Psychological Therapy Groups in an Adult Mental Health Setting
IRAS ID
329892
Contact name
Lynda Russell
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Glasgow
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 8 months, 10 days
Research summary
This study aims to find out what benefits and costs participants perceive there to be for digitally-delivered psychological therapy groups.
The Covid-19 pandemic caused a rapid change in how mental health treatment is provided, with a shift from in-person therapy towards ‘digitally delivered’ therapy, through the use of telephone and video appointments. There are benefits in digital therapy, such as reducing travel costs and improving accessibility. However, there are also concerns about privacy, and difficulties accessing the technology needed to attend a virtual appointment. The use of digital therapy is predicted to increase, particularly in the form of group therapy, as this helps services improve access to therapy, and cope with the increasing numbers of people needing mental health support. It is important to understand patients’ experiences of digital group therapy so that psychological services can understand who might benefit from this intervention.
Participants will be recruited from NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde (GG&C) Psychological Therapies Group Service (PTGS). This service provides digitally-delivered group-based psychological therapy to patients who have been referred for support from one of the Community Mental Health Teams across NHS GG&C. Participants can take part if they are aged between 18 and 65 years old, and are still open to their local Community Mental Health Team. All types of mental health conditions and intellectual abilities will be included. Clinicians working in the PTGS will share information about this study with potential participants, before informing the researchers of which participants gave their consent so that they may be contacted. Informed consent about the study will then be obtained directly from the participants by the researchers. This will be a qualitative study using semi-structured interview questions. Interviews will last around 60 minutes, and take place either over video conferencing or in person in local health centers in GG&C.REC name
East Midlands - Derby Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/EM/0217
Date of REC Opinion
3 Sep 2024
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion