Development of an internet-delivered program and platform for the treatment of depression and anxiety in patients with ischemic heart disease in eMindYourHeart

ABSTRACT

To design and evaluate a mental health treatment program and internet-based delivery platform for patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) attending cardiac rehabilitation with the aim of reducing the risks associated with anxiety and/or depression. Patients diagnosed with IHD and comorbid anxiety and/or depression. Participatory design of treatment program and internet platform through staged inclusion of participants in two groups. Group 1 was enrolled as co-researchers with prolonged engagement in the project. Group 2 participated only in the pilot evaluation workshop. Three patients were included in Group 1, two patients in Group 2. Inclusion of patients proved challenging, but the extended collaboration with co-researchers yielded valuable circumstantial insight and resulted in the design of a novel nine-module treatment program. Additionally, the inclusion of two participant groups helped shape the development of an internet platform based on an open-source content management system. Our grouped participation method contributes with several recommendations and reflections of advantages of this approach. Collaboration with co-researchers helped us gain a deeper understanding of the impact of language on self-perception and potential stigma. Prolonged participation led to a higher level of trust and familiarity, which enabled uncovering of issues otherwise hidden.

KEYWORDS:

• participatory design
• heart disease
• telemedicine
• workshops
• end-user involvement
• eHealth
• mental health

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Nicolaj Knudsen, lead developer of the eMindYourHeart platform for his invaluable contribution to the project, and cardiologist Claus Tveskov at Odense University Hospital (Svendborg) and nurse Karen Dilling at Odense University Hospital (Odense) for their help with recruiting patients for the participatory design. The eMindYourHeart project is supported with funding from Sygesikring Danmark (Grant # 2020-0041), DKK 5,000,000 [2020], Odense University Hospital Research Foundation (Grant # 98-A4420), DKK 299,000 [2020], SDU’s Strategic funding (DKK 499,000), the Danish Heart Foundation (grant # 18-R124-A8309-22106) with DKK 1 million, and Odense University Hospital Research Foundation (grant # 72-A3575) with DKK 300,000 and Region of Southern Denmark and Region of Zealand joint research foundation (Grant # A343) with DKK 270,000.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflict of interest.

Notes

¹ www.drupal.org

² https://open.rsyd.dk/

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Region of Southern Denmark and Region of Zealand joint research foundation [A343]; The Danish Heart Foundation [18-R124-A8309-22106]; Strategic Initiatives, University of Southern Denmark; Sygesikringen Danmark [2020-0041]; Odense University Hospital Research Foundation [72-A3575,98-A4420].