Computerised health interventions targeting Australian veterans and their families: A scoping review

IF 1.4 4区医学 Q3 PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH Health Promotion Journal of Australia Pub Date : 2023-12-11 DOI:10.1002/hpja.832

Bryce McMahon, Camila Guindalini, Rebecca Mellor

{"title":"Computerised health interventions targeting Australian veterans and their families: A scoping review","authors":"Bryce McMahon, Camila Guindalini, Rebecca Mellor","doi":"10.1002/hpja.832","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div>\n \n \n <section>\n \n <h3> Issue Addressed</h3>\n \n <p>Australian veterans suffer higher rates of both mental and physical health conditions than civilians, yet many do not seek treatment. Computerised Interventions (CIs) may provide an alternative approach to management, which can overcome some barriers to treatment uptake. We aim to evaluate the scope and quality of CIs designed specifically for Australian veterans and their families.</p>\n </section>\n \n <section>\n \n <h3> Methods</h3>\n \n <p>A manual search of the Department of Veterans' Affairs and other Ex-service organisation websites was performed to map and describe CIs for Australian veterans and their families, followed by a scoping review of four databases to identify evaluations of relevant CIs.</p>\n </section>\n \n <section>\n \n <h3> Results</h3>\n \n <p>Our search identified 10 CIs specific to Australian veterans and their families. The majority were structured, self-guided CIs, designed to elicit cognitive/behavioural change that addressed mental health and psychosocial needs during transition. Three evaluations examined previously identified CIs. The results showed mixed reviews from participants and clinicians, in two separate evaluations, regarding user experience, quality and perceived benefit. In addition, positive psychological outcomes, including the reduction of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, were demonstrated for participants of the online intervention.</p>\n </section>\n \n <section>\n \n <h3> Conclusion</h3>\n \n <p>While Australian veteran-centric online interventions primarily focus on psychological conditions, the prevalent physical health concerns within the veteran population remain unaddressed. Additionally, despite the documented impact of military experience on family members, there is a lack of specific Australian interventions designed for families. Few tools have been formally evaluated, yet show promise as supportive self-directed resources for veterans with PTSD, and for navigating transition challenges.</p>\n </section>\n \n <section>\n \n <h3> So What?</h3>\n \n <p>Further development of online interventions addressing prevalent physical and family needs, and conduction of comprehensive evaluations are needed to enhance overall quality, accessibility and holistic effectiveness of interventions for the Australian veteran community.</p>\n </section>\n </div>","PeriodicalId":47379,"journal":{"name":"Health Promotion Journal of Australia","volume":"35 4","pages":"875-890"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4000,"publicationDate":"2023-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/hpja.832","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Health Promotion Journal of Australia","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/hpja.832","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH","Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Abstract

Issue Addressed

Australian veterans suffer higher rates of both mental and physical health conditions than civilians, yet many do not seek treatment. Computerised Interventions (CIs) may provide an alternative approach to management, which can overcome some barriers to treatment uptake. We aim to evaluate the scope and quality of CIs designed specifically for Australian veterans and their families.

Methods

A manual search of the Department of Veterans' Affairs and other Ex-service organisation websites was performed to map and describe CIs for Australian veterans and their families, followed by a scoping review of four databases to identify evaluations of relevant CIs.

Results

Our search identified 10 CIs specific to Australian veterans and their families. The majority were structured, self-guided CIs, designed to elicit cognitive/behavioural change that addressed mental health and psychosocial needs during transition. Three evaluations examined previously identified CIs. The results showed mixed reviews from participants and clinicians, in two separate evaluations, regarding user experience, quality and perceived benefit. In addition, positive psychological outcomes, including the reduction of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, were demonstrated for participants of the online intervention.

Conclusion

While Australian veteran-centric online interventions primarily focus on psychological conditions, the prevalent physical health concerns within the veteran population remain unaddressed. Additionally, despite the documented impact of military experience on family members, there is a lack of specific Australian interventions designed for families. Few tools have been formally evaluated, yet show promise as supportive self-directed resources for veterans with PTSD, and for navigating transition challenges.

So What?

Further development of online interventions addressing prevalent physical and family needs, and conduction of comprehensive evaluations are needed to enhance overall quality, accessibility and holistic effectiveness of interventions for the Australian veteran community.

Abstract Image

查看原文

微信好友朋友圈 QQ好友复制链接

本刊更多论文

针对澳大利亚退伍军人及其家属的计算机化健康干预措施：范围审查

澳大利亚退伍军人的精神和身体健康状况均高于平民，但许多人并不寻求治疗。计算机化干预（CIs）可以提供一种替代的管理方法，克服接受治疗的一些障碍。我们旨在评估专为澳大利亚退伍军人及其家人设计的计算机化干预的范围和质量。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

求助全文

约1分钟内获得全文去求助

来源期刊

Health Promotion Journal of Australia PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH-

CiteScore

3.10

自引率

10.50%

发文量

115

期刊介绍： The purpose of the Health Promotion Journal of Australia is to facilitate communication between researchers, practitioners, and policymakers involved in health promotion activities. Preference for publication is given to practical examples of policies, theories, strategies and programs which utilise educational, organisational, economic and/or environmental approaches to health promotion. The journal also publishes brief reports discussing programs, professional viewpoints, and guidelines for practice or evaluation methodology. The journal features articles, brief reports, editorials, perspectives, "of interest", viewpoints, book reviews and letters.