Development and evaluation of a web-based toolkit to inform mental health professionals about digital mental health interventions for eating disorders

Introduction Eating disorders (EDs) are serious mental disorders that often remain untreated for many years. Digital mental health interventions could provide low-threshold support especially in underserved areas. However, the knowledge of mental health professionals (MHPs), who could integrate such interventions into routine care, is still limited. Objective This study aimed at the development and evaluation of a web-based toolkit to provide evidence-based knowledge about digital interventions for EDs for MHPs. Methods A mixed methods design was chosen to iteratively evaluate the toolkit. First, three focus groups with 16 MHPs were conducted, who tested the toolkit and gave feedback. Then, N = 66 MHPs completed an online survey with self-developed questionnaires on the perceived quality of the toolkit and its modules. Further, several scales were used to measure website clarity (Web-CLIC), visual aesthetics (VisAWI-S), system usability (SUS), e-therapy attitudes (ETAM) and elements of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). Results The focus groups resulted in a number of suggestions that were used to improve the toolkit. The results of the quantitative study showed that the toolkit reached high ratings in website clarity, visual aesthetics and system usability. E-therapy attitudes were positive in 51 (77.3%) cases. While perceived usefulness was M = 2.75 (SD = 0.62, range = 1-3.86), relative advantage remained lower with M = 1.08 (SD = 0.54, range = 0-2.5). Results following the concept of UTAUT, showed a medium Behavioural Intention to use digital interventions for their patients with M = 3.60 (SD = 1.01) and a medium Performance Expectancy of M = 3.50 (SD = 0.93) with lower values for anorexia nervosa than for other kinds of EDs. Conclusions In general, MHPs show positive attitudes towards the use of digital interventions for patients with EDs to complement conventional psychotherapy. However, there is also a clear need for more knowledge in the field. The web-based toolkit may serve as a promising educational resource to meet the needs of MHPs.