Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (iCBT) for mental health problems in primary care: can it improve population health and reduce inequalities?

To successfully implement internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT) in primary care, several considerations are necessary.

These include identification of population needs and uptake of care, assessing its effectiveness, how it impacts healthcare consumption and related costs, and its impacts on equity.The purpose of the project is to examine the impacts of iCBT delivered in primary care for depression, panic disorder, social phobia and stress/exhaustion disorder.

The project includes four studies.The method relies on a register-based design using individual-level data.

Study 1 will investigate population needs and uptake of iCBT by using a population survey and data from the Swedish Internet treatment register SibeR.

Study 2 will create two comparable groups by matching patients receiving iCBT (iCBT) to patients not receiving iCBT and/or receiving other treatments (TAU), using registers.

Outcomes will be collected over 2-years after diagnosis and treatment start, to evaluate the impact of iCBT on treatment response (symptom improvement) and sick leave.

Study 3 will assess the cost-effectiveness of iCBT by comparing changes in costs, treatment response sick leave, between iCBT and TAU.

Study 4 will examine the impact of iCBT on health inequalities and its relationship with cost-effectiveness.Results will inform health policy to provide good quality, accessible and equitable primary care at reasonable costs for individuals with mental health problems.