OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the information needs and preferences concerning treatment options for anxiety by assessing the following: what information people consider to be important when they are considering treatment options for anxiety, what information people have received on psychological and medication treatment in the past, how they received this information in the past, and whether there are any differences in information needs between specific samples and demographic groups.
METHODS: Using a web-based survey, we recruited participants from a peer-support association website (n=288) and clinic samples (psychology, n=113; psychiatry, n=64).
RESULTS: Participants in all samples wanted information on a broad range of topics pertaining to anxiety treatment. However, they reported that they did not receive the desired amount of information. Participants in the clinic samples rated the importance of information topics higher than did those in the self-help sample. When considering the anxiety treatment information received in the past, most respondents indicated receiving information from informational websites, family doctors, and mental health practitioners. In terms of what respondents want to learn about, high ratings of importance were given to topics concerning treatment effectiveness, how it works, advantages and disadvantages, what happens when it stops, and common side effects.
CONCLUSIONS: It is challenging for individuals to obtain anxiety-related information on the range of topics they desire through currently available information sources. It is also difficult to provide comprehensive information during typical clinical visits. Providing evidence-based information on the web and in a brochure format may help consumers make informed choices and support the advice provided by health professionals.
目的:本研究旨在通过评估以下方面来检查有关焦虑症治疗方案的信息需求和偏好:人们在考虑焦虑症治疗方案时认为重要的信息,过去人们收到了哪些关于心理和药物治疗的信息,他们过去是如何收到这些信息的,以及特定样本和人口统计学群体之间的信息需求是否存在任何差异。
方法:使用基于Web的调查,我们从同伴支持协会网站(n=288)和临床样本(心理学,n=113;精神病学,n=64)。
结果:所有样本的参与者都希望获得有关焦虑治疗的广泛主题的信息。然而,他们报告说他们没有收到所需的信息量。诊所样本中的参与者对信息主题的重要性的评价高于自助样本中的参与者。当考虑过去收到的焦虑治疗信息时,大多数受访者表示从信息网站接收信息,家庭医生,和心理健康从业者。就受访者想要了解的内容而言,对有关治疗有效性的主题给予了很高的重视,它是如何工作的,优点和缺点,当它停止时会发生什么,和常见的副作用。
结论:对于个人来说,通过当前可用的信息来源获得与焦虑相关的信息,涉及他们想要的主题范围是具有挑战性的。在典型的临床就诊期间也难以提供全面的信息。在网络上和小册子格式提供基于证据的信息可能有助于消费者做出明智的选择,并支持卫生专业人员提供的建议。