As a practitioner dedicated to creating optimal outcomes for children, leveraging data-driven insights from research is essential. A recent study titled "Recruitment to Online Therapies for Depression: Pilot Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial" provides valuable insights into improving recruitment strategies for online therapies, which can be particularly beneficial for schools using services like TinyEYE.
The study compared two online recruitment interventions—Google AdWords and local website links—to understand their effectiveness in raising awareness of online Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) resources for depression. Here are the key findings and recommendations that can be implemented to enhance recruitment strategies for online therapy services:
Key Findings
- Google AdWords Effectiveness: The study found that using Google AdWords was significantly more effective in recruiting individuals to the project website compared to local website links. AdWords led to higher click-through rates and more participants engaging with the online CBT resources.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Google AdWords proved to be more cost-effective than local website links. The cost per person who chose online CBT and had a depression score greater than 5 was £4.64 for AdWords, compared to £14.89 for local website links.
- Geographic Targeting: Although effective, geographic targeting using AdWords had some leakage, meaning that ads were not always as geographically specific as intended. Adjustments in targeting methods could reduce this leakage.
Recommendations for Practitioners
- Utilize Online Advertising: Practitioners should consider using online advertising platforms like Google AdWords to increase the uptake of online therapy services. This method has been shown to be effective and cost-efficient.
- Optimize Targeting: To improve geographic targeting, use radius-based targeting methods and create specific campaigns for different regions. This can help reduce leakage and ensure that ads reach the intended audience.
- Monitor and Adjust Campaigns: Regularly monitor the performance of online advertising campaigns and make necessary adjustments to optimize results. This includes analyzing click-through rates, engagement levels, and costs.
- Combine with Other Methods: While online advertising is effective, combining it with other methods like professional recommendations can enhance recruitment. Professionals can play a crucial role in raising awareness and encouraging the use of online therapy resources.
By implementing these strategies, practitioners can improve the recruitment and engagement of children in online therapy services, ultimately leading to better mental health outcomes. For a deeper understanding of the study and its methodologies, I encourage you to read the original research paper: Recruitment to Online Therapies for Depression: Pilot Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.
