Digital Literacy, Digital Readiness and Acceptability of Digital Mental Health Among Mental Health Professionals: Findings from the Italian DIGIT-PSY Study

Beyond specific training in Digital Mental Health (DMH)/Digital Psychiatry (DP), mental health professionals (MHp) should own basic digital abilities and competences and a general openness to integrating technology into both clinical practice and daily life. These digital drivers have not been adequately investigated among MHp in Italy. As part of the DIGIT-PSY project, a multicenter observational study was conducted using the EUSurvey® platform. From May to September 2023, a cohort of multiprofessional MHp from 27 Italian university centers was surveyed to assess digital literacy (DHL), readiness (TR) and acceptability (ATiPP). The main aim was identifying whether these digitally-derived variables could influence the level of digitalization proneness in MH care. Overall, 60% of our sample was technologically ready, with a moderate-high level of basic DHL. Two TR factors are mainly represented among Italian MHp: optimism and discomfort. Multivariate linear regression revealed that higher ATIPP (p<0.001), higher DHL (p<0.001), higher perceived feasibility in digital implementation (p<0.001) and higher levels of social influence (p=0.006) were positive drivers in digitalization by increasing TR [(F(12,1354)=38.743; R2=0.256; p<0.001]. Conversely, a lower satisfaction derived by previous DMH/DP experiences was the most significant negative factor (p=0.037). Interestingly, Italian MHp overly displayed a higher optimistic view, despite higher discomfort perceptions from technology and digital innovation. However, Italian infrastructures and services and the lack of national regulatory guidelines in DMH/DP, together with an overly low level of education and training since University courses, may inhibit the digitalization process. Targeted interventions should consider national and university-based initiatives to overcome this gap.