Online information seeking by patients with bipolar disorder: results from an international multisite survey

Abstract

BackgroundInformation seeking is an important coping mechanism for dealing with chronic illness. Despite a growing number of mental health websites, there is little understanding of how patients with bipolar disorder use the Internet to seek information.MethodsA 39 question, paper-based, anonymous survey, translated into 12 languages, was completed by 1222 patients in 17 countries as a convenience sample between March 2014 and January 2016. All patients had a diagnosis of bipolar disorder from a psychiatrist. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and generalized estimating equations to account for correlated data.Results976 (81 % of 1212 valid responses) of the patients used the Internet, and of these 750 (77 %) looked for information on bipolar disorder. When looking online for information, 89 % used a computer rather than a smartphone, and 79 % started with a general search engine. The primary reasons for searching were drug side effects (51 %), to learn anonymously (43 %), and for help coping (39 %). About 1/3 rated their search skills as expert, and 2/3 as basic or intermediate. 59 % preferred a website on mental illness and 33 % preferred Wikipedia. Only 20 % read or participated in online support groups. Most patients (62 %) searched a couple times a year. Online information seeking helped about 2/3 to cope (41 % of the entire sample). About 2/3 did not discuss Internet findings with their doctor.ConclusionOnline information seeking helps many patients to cope although alternative information sources remain important. Most patients do not discuss Internet findings with their doctor, and concern remains about the quality of online information especially related to prescription drugs. Patients may not rate search skills accurately, and may not understand limitations of online privacy. More patient education about online information searching is needed and physicians should recommend a few high quality websites.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40345-016-0058-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Chitinase-3-like protein 1 levels in bipolar disorder

“…The place of residence of BD patients was similar to the control group, indicating that settlement is not a risk factor for BD. However, in a large international survey using the internet, the rural residence of BD patients was reported to be lower (14.9%) than our study 30…”

Chitinase-3-like protein 1 levels in bipolar disorder

“…The place of residence of BD patients was similar to the control group, indicating that settlement is not a risk factor for BD. However, in a large international survey using the internet, the rural residence of BD patients was reported to be lower (14.9%) than our study 30…”

Mental health‐related internet use by people with a diagnosis of chronic psychiatric disorder, attending community mental health centres

“…In this study, the majority of individuals with chronic psychiatric disorders (75.6%) reported that they search the internet to obtain information about their mental health problems. Similar studies report that this rate ranges from 53% to 84.6%, it is a similar finding to our study (Baup & Verdoux, 2017; Borzekowski et al, 2009; Conell et al, 2016; Kalckreuth et al, 2014; Khazaal et al, 2008; Lam‐Po‐Tang & McKay, 2010; Schrank et al, 2010; Trefflich et al, 2015). It is observed that individuals with chronic psychiatric disorders utilize the internet as an information resource to obtain information about the status of their mental health.…”

Survey of psychiatrist use of digital technology in clinical practice

“…About 2/3 of the psychiatrists in this survey do not ask their patients if they use the Internet to seek information on bipolar disorder. This is consistent with a prior survey of 976 patients with bipolar disorder who use the Internet, where about 2/3 of patients rarely or never discussed information learned online with their doctor (Conell et al 2016 ). The psychiatrists in this survey vary in their attitude towards patient use of technology.…”

Chitinase-3-like protein 1 levels in bipolar disorder

“…The place of residence of BD patients was similar to the control group, indicating that settlement is not a risk factor for BD. However, in a large international survey using the internet, the rural residence of BD patients was reported to be lower (14.9%) than our study 30…”

Mental health‐related internet use by people with a diagnosis of chronic psychiatric disorder, attending community mental health centres

“…In this study, the majority of individuals with chronic psychiatric disorders (75.6%) reported that they search the internet to obtain information about their mental health problems. Similar studies report that this rate ranges from 53% to 84.6%, it is a similar finding to our study (Baup & Verdoux, 2017; Borzekowski et al, 2009; Conell et al, 2016; Kalckreuth et al, 2014; Khazaal et al, 2008; Lam‐Po‐Tang & McKay, 2010; Schrank et al, 2010; Trefflich et al, 2015). It is observed that individuals with chronic psychiatric disorders utilize the internet as an information resource to obtain information about the status of their mental health.…”

Survey of psychiatrist use of digital technology in clinical practice

“…About 2/3 of the psychiatrists in this survey do not ask their patients if they use the Internet to seek information on bipolar disorder. This is consistent with a prior survey of 976 patients with bipolar disorder who use the Internet, where about 2/3 of patients rarely or never discussed information learned online with their doctor (Conell et al 2016 ). The psychiatrists in this survey vary in their attitude towards patient use of technology.…”

Chitinase-3-like protein 1 levels in bipolar disorder

“…The place of residence of BD patients was similar to the control group, indicating that settlement is not a risk factor for BD. However, in a large international survey using the internet, the rural residence of BD patients was reported to be lower (14.9%) than our study 30…”

Mental health‐related internet use by people with a diagnosis of chronic psychiatric disorder, attending community mental health centres

“…In this study, the majority of individuals with chronic psychiatric disorders (75.6%) reported that they search the internet to obtain information about their mental health problems. Similar studies report that this rate ranges from 53% to 84.6%, it is a similar finding to our study (Baup & Verdoux, 2017; Borzekowski et al, 2009; Conell et al, 2016; Kalckreuth et al, 2014; Khazaal et al, 2008; Lam‐Po‐Tang & McKay, 2010; Schrank et al, 2010; Trefflich et al, 2015). It is observed that individuals with chronic psychiatric disorders utilize the internet as an information resource to obtain information about the status of their mental health.…”

Survey of psychiatrist use of digital technology in clinical practice

“…About 2/3 of the psychiatrists in this survey do not ask their patients if they use the Internet to seek information on bipolar disorder. This is consistent with a prior survey of 976 patients with bipolar disorder who use the Internet, where about 2/3 of patients rarely or never discussed information learned online with their doctor (Conell et al 2016 ). The psychiatrists in this survey vary in their attitude towards patient use of technology.…”