ReachMDDigital Tools in Psychiatry: What Are They?

Digital tools are emerging modalities for behavior modification in major depressive disorder, chronic insomnia, and substance use disorders. These evidence-based therapeutic software systems intervene in the prevention, management, or treatment of a medical disorder or disease. Examples of digital therapeutics include apps that deliver cognitive behavior therapy for chronic insomnia or psychoeducation for opioid use disorder.

Because digital tools capture real-time patient data they can provide clinicians with a more accurate picture of a patient’s mental status or treatment progress than one-time self-reports during office visits.