Open Access

ARTICLE

Acceptability and Feasibility of YouthCHAT to Detect Psychosocial Problems in Young People with Congenital Heart Disease

Hiran Thabrew^1,*, Harshali Kumar¹, Vanessa Garcia-Hoyos², Felicity Goodyear-Smith³

1 Department of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand
2 Adult Congenital Heart Disease Service, Paediatric and Congenital Cardiology, Starship Hospital, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand
3 Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand

* Corresponding Author: Hiran Thabrew. Email:

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion 2021, 23(2), 221-230. https://doi.org/10.32604/IJMHP.2021.015033

Received 19 November 2020; Accepted 09 March 2021; Issue published 30 April 2021

Abstract

Objective: Young people with congenital heart disease (CHD) are at increased risk of psychosocial issues, including anxiety and depression that can affect their medical care and quality of life. This open trial investigated the acceptability, feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of YouthCHAT, a tablet-based screener, designed to identify similar issues to a face to face psychosocial assessment, with young people who have CHD. Methods: YouthCHAT was administered to 44 such young people aged 15–25 years attending a specialist outpatient clinic at a New Zealand tertiary hospital. Key outcomes were (i) acceptability and (ii) feasibility of YouthCHAT, assessed via feedback from young people and clinicians and (iii) detection rates for each domain of YouthCHAT, measured by mental health or lifestyle issue being ‘present’ or ‘absent’. Results: YouthCHAT was quick to complete (mean 9 min and 7 s) and well-received by young people (overall rating 7 out of 10) and clinicians. Rates of anxiety, substance use and other issues were similar to those in a previous study of young people with mixed long-term physical conditions. However, rates of depression (41%) and life stresses (98%) were notably higher. Conclusions: Although further research is required, our results provide initial evidence that YouthCHAT is a viable and acceptable psychosocial screener with which to improve the holistic care of young people with CHD.

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Keywords

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