Practitioner user views on digital mental health interventions among individuals diagnosed with neurocognitive deficits

Abstract

This chapter provides background information, highlights the gap in existing knowledge, the problem and the potential impact of the research undertaking, setting the context for the study. It also establishes the study’s purpose, significance, relevance and potential contributions to the field. Furthermore, key terms and scope of the study are outlined and defined, helping the reader understand the subsequent chapters, aiming to inform the reader and provide a rationale for the study. Neurocognitive functioning is an important factor in determining individual well being and quality of life. However, as the global population ages, the prevalence of neurocognitive disorders is on the increase with as much as 30 percent of the population by age 85 and believed to affect between 2 and 10 percent of 65-year-plus-olds. The number of individuals diagnosed doubles every 20 years and it is projected that by 2050, it will reach over 115 million worldwide (Mucic, Shore & Hilty, 2023). There is need for early identification of vulnerable individuals, understanding their deficit trajectory and effective treatments/ interventions (Raftree, 2023; Robledo-castro et al., 2023). In the use of digital mental health interventions (DMHIs), there is a convergence of digital technologies with mental/ behavioural health services. They have been developed to fill a gap in healthcare for people who need mental wellbeing support services which psychological treatment they may otherwise not receive. Identifying service users early in the course of a disorder associated with neurocognitive deficits can improve the opportunity to develop effective interventions to change the course of decline (Timakum, Xie & Song, 2022) and new intervention models could lead to better engagement and ultimately better outcomes (Cross & Alvarez-Jimenez, 2024).

Keywords: Digital mental health, Neurocognitive deficits