Using Experience Sampling Methods to support clinical management of psychosis: The perspective of people with lived experience

Psychotic disorders are among the most burdensome mental health problems, requiring ongoing care and support. While the Experience sampling method (ESM), a structured self-monitoring technique, offers a promising approach to supporting person-centered care, there has been a general lack of user involvement in implementing these digital innovations in routine mental health care. The present study explored the perspective of people with a history of psychotic disorders using a user-centered design within focus groups. While people with lived experience recognize the potential of ESM to become more aware and increase control over their mental health through early detection of symptoms, concerns were voiced about the validity and burden of mental health self-monitoring. Participants indicated that ESM tools should allow for a high degree of personalization and enable assessing a broad range of daily-life experiences not limited to psychotic symptoms (i.e., including moods and emotions, social functioning, and general functioning). Future developments of clinical ESM tools for the management of psychosis should allow for a broad assessment of individuals' daily life experiences, identify solutions for easy personalization, and address potential barriers for use by identifying factors that influence the perceived burden of ESM and strategies to strengthen confidence in self-monitoring.