REAL-WORLD EVIDENCE OF THE CLINICAL AND PREFERENCE IMPACT OF A PRESCRIPTION DIGITAL THERAPEUTIC FOR MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER: AN ONGOING PROSPECTIVE STUDY IN AN ACADEMIC HEALTH SYSTEM

Purpose

This presentation details the implementation of a prescription digital therapeutic (PDT) as an adjunct to pharmacotherapy for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). The study aims to move beyond controlled trial data to evaluate how PDTs perform within the complex workflows of a large academic health system, specifically focusing on clinician-patient preferences and real-world engagement patterns. Methodology: Conducted at the University of Utah’s Huntsman Mental Health Institute (HMHI), this prospective pilot study identifies patients via routine clinical judgment. Data collection integrates: Patient/Clinician Surveys: Assessing baseline attitudes and acceptability. Clinical Outcomes: PHQ-9 scores at baseline and six months. Platform Analytics: Real-time engagement and adherence metrics. EMR Extraction: Longitudinal healthcare utilization data. Interim Findings and Content: The presentation will share critical interim data regarding the recruitment and initiation phase: Recruitment Feasibility: Analysis of the “clinical judgment” model for identifying PDT candidates, including enrollment rates and barriers encountered within the academic workflow. Baseline Preference Profiles: Specific findings on clinician and patient expectations versus early-stage engagement (first 30 days). Implementation Friction: Identification of technical or systemic hurdles in linking PDT platform data with Electronic Medical Records (EMR). Importance for the Field: These findings advance the field by testing the “last mile” of digital medicine. While the efficacy of PDTs is established, their utility is often bottlenecked by implementation barriers in routine practice. This presentation argues that the success of digital psychiatry depends less on the therapeutic software itself and more on the alignment of technology with existing clinical workflows and provider-patient preferences. This RWE provides a blueprint for academic centers to transition digital tools from experimental adjuncts to standardized components of MDD care.