Authors (including presenting author) :
Suen HN(1), Wong CP(1), Tse CY(1)
Affiliation :
(1)Department of Psychiatry, Tai Po Hospital
Keyword 1: :
Psychoeducation
Keyword 2: :
Self-efficacy
Keyword 4: :
Digital Health
Introduction :
Promoting self-efficacy in psychiatric population supports recovery, improves mental health outcomes, and reduces hospital utilization. Psychoeducation builds self-efficacy, however, conventional face-to-face sessions supplemented with printed pamphlets are limited by staff time constraints, low engagement, and accessibility barriers. Digital psychoeducation is an emerging solution, offering advantages of cost-effectiveness, flexibility, interactivity, and repeated access. Since Mar 2025, a digital psychoeducation program has been piloted in a psychiatric ward at Tai Po Hospital, a first-ever mode of utilization across hospitals. A digital kiosk installed in the clinical area provides patients and caregivers interactive mental health information combining text, pictures, and videos, with audio narration to enhance engagement, aid limited literacy, and improve comprehension. Grounded in Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory, the program includes four modules: (1) introduction to mental illness, (2) psychiatric medication management, (3) relapse prevention, and (4) community resources. Nurses provide a brief introduction to each module, summarize key points at module ends, and provide assistance as needed. Content is accessible via QR code for post-discharge access to support continuity of care.
Objectives :
•To examine the potential effectiveness on self-efficacy
•To examine the potential effectiveness on staff work efficiency •To assess the feasibility and acceptability of the program
Methodology :
This pilot study employed a two-group pretest-posttest design: intervention group received the digital psychoeducation program; control group received treatment as usual (TAU).
Self-efficacy was measured with the Chinese General Self-Efficacy Scale (CGSE). Staff work efficiency was evaluated by time saved on face-to-face psychoeducation. Feasibility and acceptability were evaluated via digital usage logs and satisfaction surveys.
Descriptive statistics was summarized. Paired t-tests analyzed within-group pre-post self-efficacy changes, and ANCOVA evaluated between-group differences in post-intervention self-efficacy.
Result & Outcome :
A total of 90 participants were recruited (intervention group: n=60; control group: n=30). The mean age was 41.3 ± 8.3 years. Self-Efficacy
Mean CGSE scores improved from 24.62 (SD=3.67) to 31.68 (SD=3.35) in the intervention group and from 24.17 (SD=4.14) to 26.80 (SD=4.26) in the control group. Paired t-tests showed significant pre-post improvements in both groups (intervention: t=16.84, df=59, p< .001; control: t=7.06, df=29, p< .001). However, ANCOVA showed a significant intervention effect on post-intervention, F(1, 87)=60.107, p< .001, partial η²=.409, adjusted R²=.628. These findings indicate that the program significantly improved self-efficacy among the psychiatric patients compared to TAU. Staff Work Efficiency
Average 6 patients completed the 4-modules program monthly (24 modules total), with conventional face-to-face delivery by a case nurse requiring 30 minutes per module at shift (average 10 pages at 3 minutes per page). The digital program replaced this with patient engagement, saving 720 minutes of nursing time per month, equivalent to 26 minutes each shift that nurses can redirect to direct patient care. Feasibility and Acceptability Digital kiosk logs indicated high engagement, with an average of 17 minutes spent per module and 2,842 total clicks in 10-month period. Satisfaction surveys showed that 92% of patients and caregivers felt the program enhanced their ability to manage illness, and 96% agreed that the program is more interactive than conventional psychoeducation. Preliminary results demonstrate the potential of the program in enhancing self-efficacy among psychiatric population, with positive feedback from users and nurses. Building on these promising findings, Phase 2 has started in Jan 2026 in other psychiatric wards, offering more effective and high-quality mental health services.
