The COVIDDA Program: The RMHive mobile app to support frontline workers in pandemics
Project Details
As the global death toll from COVID-19 rises, so too has the number of Australian health care providers seeking mental health support. Despite a growing evidence base in favour of e-mental health services, we do not currently have a scalable cost-effective service or system for frontline health workers at higher risk for trauma related mental health conditions. Existing services are fragmented according to speciality and have not been resourced to deliver acute high-volume online mental health preparation, support, counselling and treatment.
Researchers from the Primary Care Mental Health Research team are working in collaboration with the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Curve Tomorrow and Phoenix Australia to develop the RMHive mobile app (COVID-19 Digital Asset). This study has been designed to use experience based co-design methods to develop RMHive into a safe online space for frontline health workers seeking to feel connected, informed and supported. The experience based co-design approach involves health workers in each stage of the project to direct the development of RMHive, identify their needs, and ensure that RMHive can best meet those needs. RMHive will also provide evidence based, user-informed mental health information and resources for health workers. At this stage RMHve is directed to the tertiary hospital care setting, however could be extended to other settings.
COVIDDA video content is an essential part of the RMHive mobile app designed by Associate Professor Luke Burchill to support frontline healthcare workers. Learning Environments collaborated with experts from Phoenix Australia, and the Royal Melbourne Hospital to create a number of different series.
More information
1800 721 513 | COVIDDA-study@unimelb.edu.au
| For information | Download |
|---|---|
| Beta Test and App Evaluation | Participant Information Sheet |
| Royal Melbourne Hive | End User Licence Agreement | Research Consent |
Researchers
Associate Professor Luke Burchill (Principal Investigator)- Royal Melbourne Hospital
Co-Investigators
Professor Victoria Palmer - University of Melbourne
Dr Emma West - Royal Melbourne Hospital
Ms Kristen Brooks - Royal Melbourne Hospital
Dr Jasmine Poonian - Royal Melbourne Hospital
Associate Professor Kathleen Gray - University of Melbourne
Mr Mo Jaimangal - Curve Tomorrow
Ms Michelle Joy - University of Melbourne
Professor Meaghan O'Donnell - University of Melbourne
Dr Caroline Johnson - University of Melbourne
Dr Franz Wohlgezogen - University of Melbourne
Dr Matthew Lewis - University of Melbourne
Associate Professor Steven Tong - Doherty Institute
Professor Jane Gunn - University of Melbourne
Professor Wendy Chapman - University of Melbourne
Research team
Ms Roxanne Kritharidis - University of Melbourne
Ms Maria Potiriadis - University of Melbourne
Ms Konstancja Densley - University of Melbourne
Funding
COVIDDA is funded by the Australian Federal Government, Royal Melbourne Hospital and The University of Melbourne [Ethics approval (HREC No.) 2056866]
Research Outcomes
News story | The Project, Channel 10 26 November 2020
Allen Tait (COO, The University of Melbourne) interviews Associate Professor Luke Burchill and Michelle Joy about COVIDDA
Listen to the interview
