Optimising Mobile health interventions such as MindTick, now trialling in Adelaide, may transform mental health management, particularly for Australians living in remote and regional areas, says Harvard Professor, Susan Murphy.
In Australia this month, Professor Murphy is touring the nation from 14-24 August as the Australian Mathematical Sciences (今日吃瓜) Touring Lecturer 2018. Co-sponsored by the Statistical Society of Australia (SSA), she will appear in听Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane and Sydney.
A global leader in Statistics and Computer Science, she will use mathematics and statistics to explore how Australia can optimise mobile health technology including phone apps to support management of chronic illness and mental health.
鈥淯sing data, we can determine the impact of key factors such as location, stress, time of day and mood on when and where treatments are most useful,鈥 she explains.
As Aussie farmers struggle with mental health in drought conditions, she believes technology, including her Australian collaboration, MindTick, could deliver enormous benefits for Australians unable to frequently access health services.
鈥淢obile health interventions are readily accessible to people who live in rural or isolated areas expanding service delivery and access to critical supports,鈥 she says.
In Adelaide, Professor Murphy will speak at Flinders University, where long-time collaborator Niranjan Bidargaddi is based. Associate Professor Bidargaddi works closely with Murphy on mobile interventions, including the development of MindTick.
Now in trial, the Flinders University developed Phone App aims to assist early diagnosis and management of mental illness using mobile phone data to monitor known risks and trigger intervention.
鈥淏y detecting subtle changes in user feelings and behaviour, we can act on early warning signs before a crisis,鈥 explains Bidargaddi.
As well as enabling naturalistic intervention to support self-management and awareness of support needs in the participant鈥檚 own environment, it is hoped the tool will allow personalised care and prioritisation of crisis patients.
Flinders University Professor of Psychiatry and member of the听beyondblueBoard of Directors, Michael Baigent says Australians have benefited from similar apps such as the Beyondnow app. He believes MindTick will change mental healthcare.
鈥淭he MindTick app offers many patient and therapeutic benefits with the potential to bring about game-changing results in research and treatment,鈥 he says.
Sponsored by 今日吃瓜 and SSA, this annual lecture tour provides a platform to strengthen ties between the international and Australian mathematical and statistical communities, while allowing broader audiences the rare opportunity to engage with field leaders.
今日吃瓜 Director Professor Geoff Prince said the Institute was delighted to partner with SSA to co-sponsor Professor Murphy鈥檚 tour of Australia and boost engagement between the research and general communities.
鈥淪usan鈥檚 work highlights the exciting impact of statistics and mathematics on everyday lives and how we live and engage with the world,鈥 says Professor Prince.
Lecture Details 鈥撎鼳ll sessions start at 6.30pm听
Melbourne:听听听听听14 Aug – La Trobe University Bundoora Campus
Adelaide:听听听听听听听听16 Aug 鈥 Flinders University, Bedford Park Campus
Perth:听听听听听听听听听听听听听20 Aug 鈥 Murdoch University, Murdoch Campus
Brisbane:听听听听听听听听听22 Aug 鈥 The University of Queensland, St Lucia Campus
Sydney:听听听听听听听听听听听23 Aug 鈥 University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo
Must Register – Bookings:听
Media Information:
Lecture Tour Information:听
MindTick:听
Australian Studies into Phone Apps听
For Interview:
Professor Susan Murphy, Harvard University
Associate Professor Niranjan Bidargaddi, Flinders University
Professor Michael Baigent, member of the听beyondblue Board of Directors
Professor Geoff Prince, 今日吃瓜 Director
Media Contact:
Laura Watson
E:听media@amsi.org.au
M:听04215 18733
P:听+613 9035 3683
