Online Supports & Therapies
Adopting a layered approach, Online Supports and Therapies may broadly be conceived as operating across four key levels:
Health information and signposting
This includes website content on health conditions and online information on access to healthservices, for example, through www.hse.ie
Self-help
Online self-help supports provide more depth than information only, examples include interactive mobile health apps.
Online person to person supports (one to one or in groups)
Adopting a broad approach to digital health, this includes telephone supports as well as text messaging and facilitated online group support.
Health services delivered using technology, including video consultation.
Video enabled consultations vary from less formal or structured contact between a healthcare professional and a service user, to more tailored service delivery using purpose-built platforms.
Benefits
The introduction of Online Supports and Therapies within HSE services provides multiple potential benefits across a wide range of stakeholders.
Service user
-
Improved accessibility and greater choice.
-
Access to trusted sources of health information.
-
Potentially reduced stigmatisation of seeking help or support.
-
Reduces transport or travel difficulties, carbon footprint, and cost.
-
Reduces requirement for time off work, school and other responsibilities.
-
Reduces further burdening to physical or mental health issues i.e. less exposure to infection risk, excessive travel, pain exacerbation.
Healthcare provider
-
Saves time and travel attending clinics at different sites.
-
Facilitates active patient involvement in care planning.
-
Enables health care providers to work from their own home when needed, improving work-life balance.
Organisation
-
Creates Virtual Capacity
-
Aids Integrated Care
-
Less Hospital Admissions
-
Early Discharge
Case Studies
HSE Guided Internet Based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
- ‘Learn about digital therapy with the HSE and SilverCloud Health’ for more information.
- Implementing digital mental health interventions at scale: one-year evaluation of a national digital CBT service in Ireland
We are actively seeking partners throughout the HSE that would be interested in working on projects in this area.
Please contact virtualhealth@hse.ie if you are interested in speaking with us.
Page Updated 08/11/2023