Implementation strategies for digital relapse prevention in schizophrenia identified during a randomized controlled trial
In brief
Sixteen stakeholders identify workflow changes needed to embed schizophrenia relapse-prevention apps
In a workshop midway through an ongoing multisite trial, 16 stakeholders pointed to changes in discharge planning, team collaboration, staff responsibilities and technical workflows to support routine use of a smartphone relapse-prevention app. These findings offer implementation guidance, not evidence that the app prevents relapse or that the recommended changes improve uptake; their value in routine care remains unknown.
- Journal
- NPJ digital medicine (Q1)
- Published
- 30 October 2026
- Study design
- Randomized controlled trial
- Evidence level
- Level 1, High (CEBM 1b)
- Authors
- Selina Hiller, Katharina Prietzel, Mohamed Shehata, Soňa Nevická Sikorová, Eduard Bakstein, Kateřina Urbanová, et al.
- PMID
- 42963350
- DOI
- 10.1038/s41746-026-03435-2
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Health Informatics (top studies of the week, 1 November 2026): Implementation workshop, barriers, workflow adjustments for digital relapse app
Abstract
Digital mental health technologies hold promise, yet their integration into routine care remains challenging. This study reports findings from an implementation workshop conducted midway through an ongoing multi-site randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluating a smartphone-based relapse prevention app for patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. Sixteen stakeholders, including developers, researchers, and clinicians, discussed experiences and barriers using a semi-structured agenda, incorporating prior feedback from three focus groups with people with lived experience, and analyzed the discussions using an adopted R(E)-AIM framework (Reach, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance). Findings highlight the need for structural, technical, and personnel adjustments to support sustainable implementation. Key recommendations include integrating digital tools into discharge planning, enhancing interdisciplinary collaboration, delegating digital responsibilities, and streamlining technical workflows to facilitate seamless adoption. These insights inform feasibility considerations and strategic requirements for digital interventions in severe mental illness, offering guidance for future RCTs and practice-oriented integration of digital therapeutics in psychiatric care.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.