The Effectiveness of a One-stop Electronic Clinic for Psychological Service (eClinic) in Hong Kong

The Effectiveness of a One-stop Electronic Clinic for Psychological Service (eClinic) in Hong Kong

With an increasing need for effective and accessible mental health services, telepsychology can be one promising solution to narrowing the gap between demand and supply. Our one-stop electronic clinic of psychological service (eClinic) aims to deliver evidence-based treatments to individuals with moderate to severe emotional disorders of various kinds in Hong Kong. This study examines the cost-effectiveness and cost-efficiency of a hybrid model of telepsychology, in which contact with therapists focuses on facilitating service users' self-learning based on our online interactive modules. Results will shed light on the benefits of telepsychology to promoting access to mental health services in Hong Kong.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Screened eligible for and enrolled in the eClinic service
• Age between 15 and 35 years
• Speak, read, and write Chinese
• Present with moderate to severe depression (i.e., Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) total score ≥ 10) or anxiety (i.e., Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) total score ≥ 8)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Present with a history of psychosis in the recent 2 years
• Present with severe risk for self-harm/suicide (i.e., indicated as being at higher risk on the P4 suicidality screener during the service-related screening procedure prior to enrollment in the eClinic service)
• Present with active homicidal ideations (i.e., assessed during the service-related screening procedure prior to enrollment in the eClinic service)
• Demonstrate sub-average intelligence (e.g., based on a history of intellectual disability)
• Concurrently receive other psychological services