Evaluation of a Digital Pre-therapy Patient Education Program (StartHjelp) in Outpatient Mental Health Care

After randomization the intervention group receives access to a pre-therapy informational app, presenting information about the treatment process, options, patient rights, user organizations, and self-help while on waiting list before mental health outpatient treatment. The information is presented stepwise through video and text, while also providing links to additional information if needed. The videos are made available to the patients gradually, with more general information about the treatment process first, and more specific information as the first session approaches. The patient has the opportunity to rewatch the videos as they please.

After randomization, while on waiting list, the control group gets sent all the same information as the intervention group in written form, by mail.