Ultrasis - Interactive Healthcare

• Beating the Blues®
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Poster
  • Advisory Board
• The Relief Series
• Drink & Drug Wise
• Calm Workplace

Beating the Blues® - Frequently Asked Questions by the Healthcare Professional

During our experience of implementing Beating the Blues® with general practitioners, mental health professionals and patients, we have found that there are a number of commonly asked questions about the programme. Here are a few examples which you might find helpful.

1. What level of symptom severity is the programme aimed at?
2. How will GPs know which patients are suitable for the programme?
3. Who has clinical responsibility for the programme?
4. How can the programme be as warm and friendly as one to one meeting with a counsellor?
5. Is Ultrasis Beating the Blues® real cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT)?
6. We have counsellors and clinical psychologists at our practice - how does your programme compare with them? Why do we need your programme?
7. What information is printed out?
8. Is the programme suitable for patients who have no previous computer experience?
9. How confidential is the data the patient is typing into the computer?
10. I'm a health professional - how can I use Beating The Blues®?
11. I suffer from anxiety and/or depression - How can I access Beating The Blues®?

1. What level of symptom severity is the programme aimed at?

   Beating the Blues® is designed for use, in primary care, by people with mild to moderate depression and anxiety. The programme can, also be used effectively by patients on medication.

2. How will GPs know which patients are suitable for the programme?

   There is a ten-minute video for GPs to inform them about this and other details of the programme.

3. Who has clinical responsibility for the programme?

   The patient's GP/therapist or other health professional maintains overall responsibility for the patient. The nurse or clinical helper is responsible for checking the patient's weekly progress report, which includes some information regarding risk.

4. How can the programme be as warm and friendly as one to one meeting with a counsellor?

   Interacting with a computer is obviously different to talking to a person. Our experience with Beating the Blues® has shown that the majority of patients find it easy and enjoyable to interact with the computer. During the development of Beating the Blues®, a lot of effort was put into making the voice-overs sound warm and empathic. In addition Beating the Blues® has several advantages over conventional talking therapy, including i) the option to go back and repeat sections, and ii) the ability to listen to other peoples problems and their experiences in therapy via the case studies. Significantly, some patients have reported that they prefer interacting with a computer than to a therapist or counsellor

5. Is Ultrasis Beating the Blues® real cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT)?

   The cognitive and behavioural techniques used in Beating the Blues® are the same as those used in conventional CBT. The structure of each session is also the same.

6. We have counsellors and clinical psychologists at our practice - how does your programme compare with them? Why do we need your programme?

   One of the main problems that face many practices is the length of the waiting list to see counsellors and clinical psychologists. Beating the Blues® has been shown to reduce waiting times for CBT in the locations where it has been successfully implemented.

7. What information is printed out?

   At the end of each session the patient should have a summary sheet and all the workbook sheets necessary to complete their homework.

   The patient also receives a weekly progress report. A copy of this is printed for the GP, therapist, or other clinically responsible person. This report shows the patients weekly depression and anxiety ratings and alerts the GP to any serious suicidal thoughts and intent. The patient's specific problems and severity during the week are also shown.

8. Is the programme suitable for patients who have no previous computer experience?

   Beating the Blues® was designed to be easy to use for people with little or no computer experience. The programme has been used successfully by a large number of patients with no previous computer experience. There is a section in the User Manual about novice computer users which should be gone through with the patient. If the patient is told to take their time, they will soon find themselves feeling more confident about using the computer.

9. How confidential is the data the patient is typing into the computer?

   Some of the data entered by the patient is made available to their GP on the patient's progress report. Session 1 of the programme tells the patient about this. An example of the progress report can also be found in the User Manual. All other data entered into the programme is password protected and stored in an encrypted format.

10. I'm a health professional - how can I use Beating The Blues®?

    Beating the Blues® is a self install CD and is sold as an annual licence with unlimited patient use. The licence cost includes training, a User Manual, and technical support. For more information about purchasing a licence to use Beating the Blues® please contact Ultrasis 0207 566 3900

11. I suffer from anxiety and/or depression - How can I access Beating The Blues®?

    The NHS has been recommended by NICE to make Beating the Blues® available through your GP, many Primary Care Trust's have now commissioned BtB but sadly it is not available everywhere. You should ask your GP if Beating the Blues® is the right programme for you and to make arrangements for you to access the program.

    Many people do not want to go to their GP to get help for depression, do not wish to take medication or do not want to wait months for face to face treatment, we have introduced a way to get immediate support called Beating the Blues Connect, you can find out more by viewing the Beating the Blues Connect website.