PROMISE - Person-centred care via e-Health for people with mental illness

Mental illness 

Mental illness is the most common cause of sick leave that lasts longer than 14 days in people under 50 years of age. A large proportion of sick leave due to mental illness is related to stress, depression or anxiety. The impact on everyday life is usually great and causes difficulties for both patients and relatives. The rehabilitation period is usually long and in some cases can extend a year or more and the risk of relapse and a new episode of sick leave is high.

E-health 

E-services can create conditions for learning, accessibility and knowledge translation in the event of illness and treatment. Furthermore, e-Health contributes to increased transparency and to breaking up traditional structures. It is important to develop e-Health services that are based on a person-centred approach to identify and utilize patients' resources, to meet needs and to co-create care between patients, their relatives and health care providers.

Purpose 

PROMISE aims to evaluate whether a person-centred e-Health intervention (digital platform and telephone support) for people who are on sick leave for stress, depression or anxiety can strengthen confidence in their own abilities and reduce the extent of sick leave. The study also includes a process and health economic evaluation.

Method 

The e-health intervention is evaluated in a randomized, controlled trial. The study participants are recruited from primary care and includes people who are on sick leave for stress, depression or anxiety. In addition to the usual healthcare and treatments, the intervention group receives person-centred calls via telephone as well as access to a digital platform that has several functions that aim to make it easier for participants to manage their everyday lives. On the digital platform, they can for instance report and monitor their health status, take part in their health plan that is co-created and continuously updated together with health care professionals in the study, and invite other people who are important for their rehabilitation and recovery.

Expected results 

A person-centred e-Health intervention is expected to facilitate rehabilitation and recovery for people who are on sick leave for stress, depression or anxiety and lead to strengthened self-esteem, faster return to work, reduced risk of relapse and lower costs. The results are also expected to generate knowledge about how,  and in what way person-centred care via an e-Health support can be effective.