ARTICLE
Characteristics of subjects with self reported history of psychosis who were interested in self-assessment of their functional status via online e-diaries
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Arch Psych Psych 2012;14(4):31-36
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ABSTRACT
Aim. To identify a profile of subjects with psychotic symptoms who were interested in self-monitoring of their functional status via an online electronic diary (e-diary). Method. The TacyJakJa.pl website was promoted by means of a standard online advertising and positioning methods together with limited traditional advertising activities (an article in press, a radio broadcast). Physicians were not involved in recruitment process. Registered users of the website were offered a simple and convenient self-assessment tool to monitor their functional status in the form of e-diary. E-diaries were designed by psychiatrists for the purpose of self-assessment of mental state, everyday activities, therapy and treatment tolerability, in a registered users group. Results. Over 18 months 450 individuals registered in the after psychotic crisis section of the website. Answering question of how did they found out about the website 86% of users pointed internet as the source of information, 8% - friends, 4% - their physician, 2% - the press. 70% of users, as they reported, were diagnosed with schizophrenia and paranoid disorders, 82% of them were hospitalized due to their condition. The group of users consisted mainly of people in their thirties, who completed their secondary education. 70% of them did not have paid job; majority of them were single (57% of women and as much as 77% of men; p<0.0001). Despite significant life independence of users, as well as their understanding of the necessity of treatment (97% of registered users received outpatient psychiatric treatment), depressive mood was observed in the group. At registration the WHO-5 Well-being scale was completed by 239 subjects; and as much as 76% of them achieved total score below 13 (Chi2(239.1)=65, p<0.0001), what indicates depressive mood and higher risk for developing clinical depression. There were no statistically significant differences between results of men and women. Conclusions. Self-monitoring of functional status via e-diary generated a great deal of interest among younger users with psychotic experiences who received outpatient treatment, mostly singles, often with depressive mood. Self-assessment via e-diaries proved to be manageable and worthwhile. E-diary users were interested in active participation in their treatments, however without being encouraged by their physician, they discontinued regular self-assessment after several entries. Still, they visited other sections that the website, such as: ask a doctor corner, medical library, photo contests section, online chat rooms, and discussion forum they kept in touch, chatted and talked also with persons with no psychic disorders, who registered on the website.