Integrating the smoke-free app into a multicomponent intervention for people with mental health conditions who smoke: a short report of a service-improvement project

TL;DR

This study explores how to safely support people with mental health conditions who use a smoking cessation app, identifying key risks and developing strategies to mitigate them.

Contribution

The study introduces a multicomponent intervention with onboarding and safety procedures tailored for mental health patients using the Smoke Free app.

Findings

PPI members emphasized the need for tailored app demonstrations and data confidentiality assurances.

MHPs raised concerns about misuse of in-app advisors and risks from peer support groups.

An onboarding session and resources were developed to address identified risks for patients.

Abstract

Evidence on designing and testing digital interventions for patients with mental health conditions is emerging. However, little is known about supporting patient needs and mitigating risks when offering smoking cessation apps in this population. We aimed to identify patient support needs and factors influencing patient safety when interacting with the Smoke Free app.

Workshops and interviews were conducted with members of a patient and public involvement (PPI) panel and mental health professionals (MHPs). Feedback from PPI members was summarised, and MHP interviews were thematically analysed.

Five PPI members and six MHPs participated. PPI members identified support needs for app use, including tailored demonstrations and reassurance about data confidentiality. MHPs identified safety concerns, including potential misuse of the in-app advisors, risky social interactions when using in-app peer support groups and exacerbation of mental health symptoms related to sharing personal information.

An onboarding session, resources and procedures to support the mitigation of key risks were developed to support patients discharged from acute mental health settings when interacting with the Smoke Free app. The next stage is to deliver the multi-component intervention in a randomised controlled feasibility study, including a process evaluation to assess app uptake and engagement.