Supporting Primary Healthcare Initiatives in Mental Health - Coursework Example

Title Author Institution Supporting Primary Healthcare Initiatives in Mental Health Online health care programs are designed to give people an avenue for help through the internet. The MoodGYM is one such a program. These programs are very useful especially when the person suffering from a mental problem is not is a position to see a doctor. Some people may be too busy or in remote locations. Online programs help them to access resourceful information about their conditions in good time and without cost (Crooks, Andrews, 2012). The online programs support the work of healthcare professionals and are designed to fit in Australia’s National Primary Healthcare policies and standards. Like any other programs, online programs have their benefits and challenges which need to be born in mind when one opts to use the programs. Generally these programs are so helpful to people with mental issues. This essay will discuss a number of issues concerning online healthcare programs such as MoodGYM. The paper will discuss how these programs fit in the primary healthcare policies of Australia, their benefits and challenges and how these programs can serve as a tool for supporting the practise of health professionals. How online programs fit with the National Primary Healthcare Policies (575 wds) The MoodGYM program and similar online healthcare programs are designed to fit with Australia’s National Primary Health Strategy, National Standards for Mental Health Services (2010) and the Fourth National Mental Health Plan (2009). The National Primary Health Strategy of Australia identifies 5 major foundational blocks which include regional integration, information and technology with eHealth included, infrastructure, skilled workforce and financing and system performance (Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing 2011). These factors have been identified as very critical to a proper National Primary healthcare system. The strategy is also designed to improve access and lower inequity, manage chronic conditions better, increase attention on prevention, and improve safety, accountability, quality and performance. The purpose of the MoodGYM program and other similar program is captured in these building blocks and priorities. Since the online programs are accessed through and based on internet use they promote the realization of the idea of technology and e-Health in the strategy (Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing 2010). Basically, e-Health can be interpreted to mean healthcare practise using the internet. Healthcare professional have the option of providing services to people in need through the internet. Therefore, primary online healthcare programs such as MoodGYM afford the healthcare professional and the patient an opportunity to connect through the internet. This is the goal of technology and eHealth in the National Primary Health Strategy. The online programs also help to met the goal of regional integration because through the internet people from all regions tend to interact. Healthcare providers and patients from all over can find a meeting point online where the problem of patients are addressed and the solutions provided by healthcare givers are taken (Acton 2011). Online programs meet the strategy priorities of access improvement and inequity reduction. People in all locations such as remote areas can easily access these healthcare programs via the internet. Online programs have therefore greatly increased the chances of people getting help for their health issues. Equity is achieved because people of all age, social status, gender and race can get help through online programs with any discrimination of whatever form (Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing 2010). Online programs also fulfil priority number 3 which is about increasing focus on prevention. Online programs help people to manage mental health conditions in their early stages. Anybody feeling stressed, having bad thoughts and feelings or having problematic relationships can seek help online before the problems worsen. Online programs shorten the time the person can use to get to a mental health expert. They also eliminate the chances of the person failing to get help especially when mental health experts are out of reach (Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing 2010, Barry & Jenkins 2007). The MoodGYM program and other online health programs also fit in Australia’s National Standards for Mental Health Services (2010). The programs help to realize the principle of promoting optimal quality of life. They promote the quality of life optimally because they are available all the time whenever a patient needs services. They also promote life to the full because they provide all the information that a person needs to manage mental health problems on their own. Services and information on online programs is aimed at helping the patient to have sustained recovery. The programs help the patient to get long lasting solutions to mental problems affecting them. The solutions guarantee sustained recovery because they provide education to the patient on how to handle issues any other time they arise in their lives. They give the patient practical steps to follow in case of a problem. For example MoodGYM provides help on how to manage feelings, thoughts and relationships at the time of the problem and later in life (Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing 2010). Online programs provide services that are based on recovery, and are centred on the carer and the consumer. Therefore, they give the consumer the priority of making decision about his or her health. The patient can make the most appropriate decisions based on the information provided. The programs also target the specific needs of the consumer (Wright, Sparks & Hair 2012). This is in line with the principles of the national standards for mental health services. The programs do not restrict the choices and rights of the consumer. They also empower the consumer to take charge of their mental health using the information they get through online programs. They optimize the participation of consumers in issues about their own health (Australia: National Standards for Mental Health Project Team 2010). Online healthcare programs work in line with the priority areas of the Fourth Mental Health Plan (2009). They promote early intervention and prevention of mental problems. Promotion of prevention and early intervention is an important priority in the Fourth Mental Health Plan. Benefits and challenges of MoodGYM and other similar online programs The MoodGYM program has a number of challenges and benefits that its users have to consider. MoodGYM is and interactive program that has been designed with a lot of innovation. The customer stands to benefit from the interactive nature of the program. The program helps people with depression problems to prevent them from increasing. It has five modules each of which addresses specific customer needs. The first module helps the customer to reduce depression by playing the interactive game. The other module has the depression and anxiety assessments. People are able to assess themselves without the help of a doctor and know their state of depression and anxiety. The program also has a relaxation audio that is downloadable. The user benefits by downloading the audio for use at their convenient time. It also comes with a workbook and feedback assessment. The workbook and feedback assessment are very useful to the customers especially for purposes of personal assessment to reveal their depression states. This can help them to know the next step they need to take about their mental health (Willis, Reynolds & Keleher 2012). MoodGYM uses online exercises and flashed diagrams to teach customers about cognitive behaviour therapy. This is a very effective method of treating depression. The user benefits by understanding how emotions relate with thoughts and through this understanding he can control his thoughts. People using the program benefit by learning how to handle break ups in relationships, meditation techniques and relaxation. According to Shumaker, Ockene & Riekert (2009, p. 145) other online programs have their benefits to the user as well. Depending on the subject matter, they teach people how to handle specific problems in their lives before they escalate to serious levels. There are major results that come with the use of these programs. For example, a scientific study revealed that using more than two of MoodGYM’s modules can significantly reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression. The study also reveals that the benefits obtain remain with the person for more than 12 months. Online programs are beneficial because their services reach the wider community (McQuistion, Sowers & Ranz 2012). Online programs are more convenient because users can access them anywhere on a computer or mobile phone as long as they have connection to the internet. The issue of convenience is very critical because people with health problems may be busy with other commitments and they need to save time. They also guarantee better access to treatment and health advice without paying or having to travel to meet the doctor for consultations (Andresen, Oades & Caputi 2011). The programs ensure that people in remote areas also have an opportunity to get health services which they could not have received with these online programs. Carers benefit from online program by saving time because they do have to be physically present to give advice and instructions to their customers. People from different cultural backgrounds can find the programs beneficial because they do not have to go through the embarrassment of revealing their personal feelings and thought or relationship secrets to other people if they need help. This may be against their cultural beliefs and therefore they may find it uncomfortable to answer sensitive questions from a healthcare giver. With online programs however, the embarrassment is eliminated because the user does not reveal sensitive information to anybody. It is a program in which their information remains confidential (Government of Australia 2010). However, online programs do not come without challenges as well. Although MoodGYM helps some individuals, it does not prove to be effective for every user. The challenge is that the information provided in all the modules is meant for purposes of information and development of skill and nothing else. Therefore, people who want to get treatment for their problems cannot rely on it. They will be forced to seek the help of a mental health practitioner to be diagnosed for anxiety, depression problems, or other mental issues (Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing 2011). The implication is that the ultimate health solution does not come through an online program. People in remote locations are therefore forced to stop relying on the program and seek the help of medical professionals wherever they can find them. Another challenge with MoodGYM and other programs online is that they are designed and used through the English language. Australia is a country of people with different cultural and linguistic backgrounds. People who do not understand English are challenged in a sense because they cannot benefit from the programs. In order to promote the benefits, the developers of the programs need to include many other exercises and assessments that can benefit people with all types of mental problems. All the assessments and activities should also be available in audio so that users who are visually challenged can listen to them (Elder, Evans & Nizette, 2012). The MoodGYM program targets people with depression. Its benefits can be enhanced by designing it for people with different mental problems as well. Online programs should have information and activities that target people who are well. Anybody can guard themselves against mental problems and avoid them before they occur. This would be a better prevention strategy than only trying to rectify a problem when it has already set in (McMurray, & Clendon, 2010). Benefits and Challenges of MoodGYM The MoodGYM program is very beneficial to people who want to manage their own depression, thoughts, feelings and relationships without revealing them to other people whom they may not be comfortable with. The program provides elaborate assessments and games that give the user the freedom to interact without interference from any body (Coon & Mitterer 2008). The user can access the program anytime anywhere without undergoing the trouble of looking for a doctor. It is a program that helps the user to prevent the escalation of the mental condition. The program is free and therefore users do not spend their money before they can the assistance they need (Brown, 2006). The challenge with this program is that the program might be a bit hard to use especially for new users. Behavioural researchers should create easy to use, technology that is engaging and accessible. It should employ interactive strategies in every module so that it can attract and maintain many patient users (Shumaker, Ockene &Riekert 2009). Support of Online primary healthcare programs to professional practice Online primary healthcare programs could be used to support future health professional practice by facilitating interaction between the care giver and the patient. For example, a patient suffering from flu can get instructions and advice about their condition while on their beds using a laptop instead of trying to take time to visit the doctor. The healthcare professional benefits because he attends to as many people as possible using the programs as he also attends to those who come to see him personally (Talbot & Verinder, 2009).  A healthcare professional can also advice patients using the programs at odd hours like in the night when they are out of the office. Generally online programs increase the time and volume of work for the healthcare professional (Willis, Reynolds & Keleher 2012). Another thing is to increase the volume of information on the program so that users can get as much benefit as possible (Maheu, Pulier & Wilhelm 2012). This amount of information may be hard to provide to the customer during normal working hours. Since people do not waste a lot of time standing on queues to see a doctor, many more people will be encouraged to seek medical advice. Online programs are beneficial especially for reaching people in far flung areas in the country. Online doctors have no limitation to who they can attend to. They have the advantage of attending to people beyond geographical borders. Frequent travelers get a chance to be attended to by the same healthcare professional wherever they go (Crooks & Andrews, 2012). Doctors can also get publicity for their services through the program. Conclusion In conclusion, this paper has discussed the issue of online primary mental healthcare programs. Online healthcare programs such as MoodGYM fit into the primary healthcare policies of Australia because their design is based on these policies. These programs have benefits as well as challenges including the cost, convenience, and time saving. They improve healthcare accessibility and give more people the advantage of consulting doctors even outside the country. MoodGYM is one such program and it promotes equity, technology and eHealth and supports the policies and standards of the Australian health system. The programs can be use to increase the level of interaction between healthcare providers and their clients. They also help to publicize the healthcare providers working through the internet. Finally the online primary healthcare programs are very much beneficial because they help in the realization of the principles and priorities of the policies and standards set by Australia’s primary healthcare system. References Acton, A. (2011). 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