Naim Fanaj1,2, Sevim Mustafa1, Afrim Ajradini3
1Mental Health Center Prizren, Kosova;
2College of Medical Sciences “Rezonanca”, Prishtina, Kosova;
3Main Family Health Center, Prizren, Kosova.
Aim: To discuss a mental health gap in LMICs (as Kosova) as often discussed topic in literature; where e-Mental Health interventions are seen as an opportunity to alleviate the gap of limited resources and limited access to mental health care and the need for partnering with family doctors.
Methods: To describe implementation in Kosova mental health community services struggling with many shortcomings, of an online intervention (iCBT) for mild/moderate depression (IFightDepression) under the ImpleMentAll project, funded by the EC-Horizon 2020 framework; with the aim of developing, implementing, and evaluating tailored implementation strategies for e-health interventions (ICBT) for depression.
Results: Before the implementation, our cross-sectional exploratory surveys of general population/mental health professionals despite little knowledge about this intervention; mostly viewed as potentially applicable, helpful and an additional opportunity for patients. During three years of implementation among the many challenges faced was under-referrals by family doctors. Lack of awareness of iCBT is seen as potential barrier to overcome with educational activities as raising awareness: interactive lectures, group discussions, direct meetings with them at workplaces, dissemination of information material. Family doctors have become involved and have gained closer and more grounded knowledge of depression, iCBT and online health interventions; they have realized that there is an opportunity for cases that need treatment; the collaboration of mental health institutions with family medicine has increased.
Conclusions: Family doctors are valuable source of referrals for iCBT interventions and for the exploitation of the potential of iCBT to reduce mental health gap in Kosova. Lessons learned will guide us in further potential establishment of iCBT as usual service in our community mental health system.
Keywords: e-mental health, family doctors, mental health, ImpleMentAll, iCBT, Kosova.