Internet use by patients with bipolar disorder: Results from an international multisite survey

Rita Bauer, Jörn Conell, Tasha Glenn, Martin Alda, Raffaella Ardau, Bernhard T Baune, Michael Berk, Yuly Bersudsky, Amy Bilderbeck, Alberto Bocchetta, Letizia Bossini, Angela M Paredes Castro, Eric Yw Cheung, Caterina Chillotti, Sabine Choppin, Maria Del Zompo, Rodrigo Dias, Seetal Dodd, Anne Duffy, Bruno EtainAndrea Fagiolini, Miryam Fernández Hernandez, Julie Garnham, John Geddes, Jonas Gildebro, Ana Gonzalez-Pinto, Guy M Goodwin, Paul Grof, Hirohiko Harima, Stefanie Hassel, Chantal Henry, Diego Hidalgo-Mazzei, Vaisnvy Kapur, Girish Kunigiri, Beny Lafer, Erik R Larsen, Ute Lewitzka, Rasmus W Licht, Anne Hvenegaard Lund, Blazej Misiak, Scott Monteith, Rodrigo Munoz, Takako Nakanotani, René E Nielsen, Claire O'Donovan, Yasushi Okamura, Yamima Osher, Patryk Piotrowski, Andreas Reif, Philipp Ritter, Janusz K Rybakowski, Kemal Sagduyu, Brett Sawchuk, Elon Schwartz, Ângela M Scippa, Claire Slaney, Ahmad H Sulaiman, Kirsi Suominen, Aleksandra Suwalska, Peter Tam, Yoshitaka Tatebayashi, Leonardo Tondo, Eduard Vieta, Maj Vinberg, Biju Viswanath, Julia Volkert, Mark Zetin, Peter C Whybrow, Michael Bauer

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Abstract

There is considerable international interest in online education of patients with bipolar disorder, yet little understanding of how patients use the Internet and other sources to seek information. 1171 patients with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder in 17 countries completed a paper-based, anonymous survey. 81% of the patients used the Internet, a percentage similar to the general public. Older age, less education, and challenges in country telecommunications infrastructure and demographics decreased the odds of using the Internet. About 78% of the Internet users looked online for information on bipolar disorder or 63% of the total sample. More years of education in relation to the country mean, and feeling very confident about managing life decreased the odds of seeking information on bipolar disorder online, while having attended support groups increased the odds. Patients who looked online for information on bipolar disorder consulted medical professionals plus a mean of 2.3 other information sources such as books, physician handouts, and others with bipolar disorder. Patients not using the Internet consulted medical professionals plus a mean of 1.6 other information sources. The percentage of patients with bipolar disorder who use the Internet is about the same as the general public. Other information sources remain important.

Original languageEnglish
JournalPsychiatry Research
Volume242
Pages (from-to)388-394
Number of pages7
ISSN0165-1781
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2016

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