E-SMART Technologies May Help Young Adults Manage Mental Illness
Posted 9/28/10
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Melissa Pinto-Foltz |
Melissa Pinto-Foltz, PhD, RN, a postdoctoral scholar and instructor, joined an FPB-based research team that is developing and testing a software program called Electronic Self-Management Resource Training to Reduce Health Disparities (e-SMART-HD). Her goal is to improve the access to mental health services and mental health self-management for adolescents and young adults.
“Roughly one in every five young adults between 18 and 25 has a mental illness,” Dr. Pinto-Foltz says. “Seventy percent of them don’t receive treatment. Of those that do receive treatment, they have trouble managing the illness and often drop out of treatment early.”
Getting individuals in this age group the adequate help and services they need inspired Dr. Pinto-Foltz’s line of research.
The e-SMART-HD research project is headed by principal investigator John Clochesy, PhD, RN, FAAN, FCCN and is funded as a stimulus grant award from the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities at the National Institute of Health. It uses a screen-based simulation using avatars to promote self-efficacy in negotiating care with healthcare providers for those from medically and socially disenfranchised groups. Its goal is improved self-management of chronic illness and a reduction in health disparities.
Source: Case Western Reserve University
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