Actively Recruiting
Evaluation of a Digital Pre-therapy Patient Education Program (StartHjelp) in Outpatient Mental Health Care
Led by St. Olavs Hospital · Updated on 2025-06-08
170
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
208 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
S
St. Olavs Hospital
Lead Sponsor
N
Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Community mental health centers face challenges such as high demand, long waiting lists, and low patient engagement, which affect individuals with mental health conditions. This research aims to evaluate a digital pre-therapy patient education program designed for adults with mental disorders to improve treatment satisfaction, patient activation, knowledge, engagement, and overall mental health outcomes. The study explores how digital education may help overcome barriers and support better healthcare experiences without increasing costs. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups. The intervention group accesses StartHjelp, an app that gradually provides treatment-related information via videos and texts while waiting for outpatient mental health services. The control group receives the same information in written form sent by mail. This approach offers accessible, stepwise education to support patients before their treatment begins. Throughout the study, participants complete assessments at baseline, after intervention (up to 8 weeks), and at 12 months follow-up (up to 60 weeks). These include measures of patient satisfaction, activation, knowledge, enablement, functioning, mental health, stress, quality of life, involvement intentions, and expectations. The study tracks changes over time to understand the impact of the digital education program on patient outcomes and experiences.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Evaluation of a Digital Pre-therapy Patient Education Program (StartHjelp) in Outpatient Mental Health Care
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Put on the waiting list for mental health outpatient treatment during the study period
- Willing to participate in the study
- Age over 18 years
- Understand written and spoken Norwegian
You will not qualify if you...
- In need of acute help
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person or remote)
Duration - Up to 8 weeks
Participants receive access to a digital pre-therapy patient education program or mailed written materials while on the waiting list for outpatient mental health treatment. The program provides stepwise information about treatment, patient rights, and self-help options.
Participants access the program at their convenience; no required visits
Duration - Varies per participant; not specified
Participants begin their scheduled outpatient mental health treatment following the pre-therapy education phase.
Visit schedule as per routine outpatient care
Duration - Up to 60 weeks
Participants complete follow-up assessments to evaluate treatment satisfaction, patient activation, knowledge, and mental health outcomes up to 12 months after the pre-therapy phase.
Assessment visits or questionnaires at 12 months post-intervention
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
St.Olavs Hospital
Trondheim, Trøndelag, Norway, 7006
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
M
Mariela L. Lara-Cabrera, PhD
H
Henrik Pedersen, Cand. Psych.
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
OTHER
Number of Arms
2
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