ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Internet is commonly used by the general population, notably for health information-seeking. There has been little research into its use by patients treated for a psychiatric disorder. AIM: To evaluate the use of internet by patients with psychiatric disorders in searching for general and medical information. METHODS: In 2007, 319 patients followed in a university hospital psychiatric out-patient clinic, completed a 28-items self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: Two hundred patients surveyed were internet users. Most of them (68.5%) used internet in order to find health-related information. Only a small part of the patients knew and used criteria reflecting the quality of contents of the websites consulted. Knowledge of English and private Internet access were the factors significantly associated with the search of information on health on Internet. CONCLUSIONS: Internet is currently used by patients treated for psychiatric disorders, especially for medical seeking information.
Subject(s)
Consumer Health Information , Internet/statistics & numerical data , Mentally Ill Persons , Access to Information , Adult , Factor Analysis, Statistical , Humans , Middle Aged , Outpatient Clinics, Hospital , Outpatients , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: "Pick-Klop" is a game based on cognitive behavioral therapy. It aims to change smokers' attitudes towards tobacco addiction. This study tests the feasibility and the impact of one brief session of the intervention in a naturalistic setting within a psychiatric hospital. METHOD: Fifty-one smokers were recruited during their stay in a psychiatric hospital with a prohibitive smoking policy. They were assessed pre- and post-treatment with visual analogue scales designed to evaluate their intention to stop smoking. RESULTS: All patients completed the intervention. The outcome shows that the intention to stop smoking becomes significantly stronger after the intervention. CONCLUSION: This pilot study supports the feasibility and the effectiveness of the "Pick-Klop" game in a psychiatric hospital setting. The game seems to improve the intention to quit smoking. The data, however, should be confirmed by a controlled trial. Moreover, follow-up studies are needed to examine the potential impact of the game on smoking cessation attempts. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The game seems to be a useful and simple tool for education about smoking in a psychiatric hospital setting.
