Technology : Bridging the Gap from Research to Practice

• Anxiety disorders are the most common mental disorders and they account for approximately one-third of all mental health care costs. Fortunately, meta-analyses show exposure-based therapy is effective for most patients with anxiety disorders. Based on such findings, international treatment guidelines recommend exposure therapy for anxiety disorders as the gold standard. For example, the Institute of Medicine stated “the evidence is sufficient to conclude the efficacy of exposure therapies in the treatment of PTSD” (p. 97) but they did not find sufficient evidence for any other psychotherapy or pharmacotherapy. Following these guidelines should be uncomplicated, but in general therapists seem to prefer to use their clinical experience rather than research findings to improve their practice.Although well supported for over 50 years, most people with anxiety disorders still do not receive exposure therapy. In fact, most people with emotional disorders do not receive any treatment. This gap in what is known and what is available to patients is frustrating. Examination of obstacles to dissemination reveals how recent advances in technology may help bridge the gap. Below we briefly review some of the proposed obstacles to successful dissemination and potential technological solutions for each.

Ämnesord

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Psykologi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Psychology (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

anxiety disorders

exposure-based therapy

technological solutions

VR

Psychology

psykologi

Publikations- och innehållstyp

vet (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)