Digital healthcare
NICE annual review 2017-18
Digital therapies to treat anxiety and depression
As part of NHS England's Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) programme, NICE has been asked to assess digital applications or computer programmes, which will sit alongside face-to-face, phone and online therapy.
Guided self-help, which can track people's mood or advise on breathing exercises for example, is recommended by NICE guidance to help treat mild to moderate anxiety and depression.
Digital interventions, along with the more traditional face-to-face therapy, can offer people with mild to moderate anxiety and depression a flexible, but guided way of helping them to get better.
The aim of this programme is to give more people access to digital therapies that have been assessed and shown to be as cost effective as face-to-face therapy. Digital therapies will not be used on their own, and patients should be reassured that they will see therapists in person.
Apps for identifying people at risk of stroke
In September 2017 we initiated our first assessment of diagnostic technologies which include mobile health-apps. Our ongoing assessment of lead-I ECG devices to diagnose atrial fibrillation (abnormal heart rate) in primary care looks at several technologies which include online services or are designed to be used with smartphones or tablets.
More accurate detection of atrial fibrillation may lead to earlier identification of people who are at risk of having a stroke and who will benefit from treatment with anticoagulants or antiarrhythmic medications.
Built with Shorthand