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Enhancing Online Therapy for Indigenous Populations: Insights from a Scoping Review

Enhancing Online Therapy for Indigenous Populations: Insights from a Scoping Review

Introduction

In an era where digital health solutions are becoming increasingly prevalent, the use of web-based therapeutic interventions (WBTI) offers promising opportunities to enhance healthcare access and outcomes for Indigenous populations. A recent scoping review titled "Use and uptake of web-based therapeutic interventions amongst Indigenous populations in Australia, New Zealand, the United States of America and Canada: a scoping review" provides valuable insights into the effectiveness and uptake of these interventions. This blog will explore the key findings and recommendations from this research, with a focus on practical applications for practitioners.

Key Findings

The review analyzed 31 studies that met the inclusion criteria, highlighting the diverse range of WBTI utilized across Indigenous communities in Australia, New Zealand, the USA, and Canada. The interventions varied from interactive websites and mobile apps to gamified cognitive behavioral therapy and decision support tools. The majority of these interventions were self-directed, allowing users to access the programs independently.

Importantly, the review found that culturally appropriate WBTI can lead to improved health outcomes for Indigenous populations. Interventions that were tailored to the cultural context and included Indigenous languages, graphics, and traditional practices were more likely to be accepted and effective. Additionally, the involvement of Indigenous communities in the development of these interventions was identified as a critical factor for success.

Recommendations for Practitioners

Conclusion

The scoping review underscores the potential of WBTI to improve health outcomes and reduce healthcare disparities for Indigenous populations. By focusing on cultural relevance and community involvement, practitioners can enhance the effectiveness of these interventions. As digital health solutions continue to evolve, ongoing research and collaboration with Indigenous communities will be essential to ensure these tools meet their unique needs and preferences.

To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Use and uptake of web-based therapeutic interventions amongst Indigenous populations in Australia, New Zealand, the United States of America and Canada: a scoping review.


Citation: Reilly, R., Stephens, J., Micklem, J., Tufanaru, C., Harfield, S., Fisher, I., Pearson, O., & Ward, J. (2020). Use and uptake of web-based therapeutic interventions amongst Indigenous populations in Australia, New Zealand, the United States of America and Canada: a scoping review. Systematic Reviews, 9, 123. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-020-01374-x
Marnee Brick, President, TinyEYE Therapy Services

Author's Note: Marnee Brick, TinyEYE President, and her team collaborate to create our blogs. They share their insights and expertise in the field of Speech-Language Pathology, Online Therapy Services and Academic Research.

Connect with Marnee on LinkedIn to stay updated on the latest in Speech-Language Pathology and Online Therapy Services.

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