Mechanisms and Methodology

Welcome back to week 3 of my blog! I’ve been diving deep into multiple apps, including PTSD Coach, AIMS for Anger Management, Mindfulness Coach, and Insomnia Coach, each tailored to address specific needs faced by veterans.

Collaborating closely with Dr. Sophie Yorkwilliams, we’ve honed in on a method that we believe will maximize the benefits of these apps for our veteran participants. Dr. Yorkwilliams, through her regular therapy sessions with individual veterans, possesses insights into their specific challenges beyond addiction. She will help identify which veterans would benefit most from each app out of our selection of four. Once identified, she will refer these veterans to me for further guidance.

So, what type of method have we selected and why? We’ve opted for a personalized approach that involves individual consultations and regular check-ins. Here’s how it works:

I will conduct an initial survey with each veteran to gather baseline self-observations. For example, if a veteran’s primary goal is to improve sleep habits using the Insomnia Coach app, I’ll inquire about their typical bedtime and actual sleep onset time. This information will serve as a reference point for tracking progress. Based on Dr. Yorkwilliams’ referrals, I’ll provide each veteran with a demo of the selected app and explain its relevance to their specific needs. This step is crucial for ensuring that veterans understand the importance of utilizing the app and feel motivated to engage with it. I’ll maintain regular contact with the group of veterans using each app, checking in weekly to assess their progress and address any challenges they may encounter. These check-ins provide an opportunity to reinforce adherence to the app’s instructions and offer support as needed.

There are a couple of limitations and challenges we need to navigate. Ensuring that veterans adhere to the app’s instructions can be challenging, as there are multiple questions and tasks involved. It’s crucial to find effective strategies for encouraging consistent engagement and addressing any barriers that may arise. While apps like Insomnia Coach offer visual representations of progress through graphs, tracking qualitative data can still be complex. We need to develop robust mechanisms for collecting and analyzing data to accurately assess the impact of the apps on veterans’ rehabilitation outcomes.

I’m still confident that our approach, with regular support, will yield valuable insights. Stay tuned for more updates!