2012 issue 1

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Volume 21, issue 1

Original article

Questions asked by patients after psychotic episodes: posts to an expert on the TacyJakJa (SuchAsMyself) website forum

Sławomir Murawiec1
1. Centrum Zdrowia Psychicznego, Instytut Psychiatrii i Neurologii, Warszawa
Postępy Psychiatrii i Neurologii 2012; 21(1): 31–36
Keywords: psychosis, schizophrenia, Internet, the Web, psychoeducation

Abstract

Objectives. For many people the Web is currently a key source of medical, health- and treatment-related information. Among other things, the Web allows two-way communication between information-seeking patients and medical professionals. The aim of this paper was to analyze a specific aspect of this mutual communication, i.e. questions asked on a special Website forum by patients who had experienced a psychotic breakdown.
Method. Content analysis was conducted of 91 questions asked in posts to a psychiatrist by users of the www.TacyJakJa (SuchAsMyself)website. The website is based on the guided self management principles. Questions can be asked to the expert on this website forum "After a psychotic crisis".
Results. The most frequently asked questions pertained to: classification of and coping with symptoms, issues of proper diagnosis, side effects of medication and fears about their possible emergence in the future, broadly defined psychoeducation, and general health status in the context of the disorder and its treatment.
Conclusion. Questions addressed to the website expert may be regarded as possible clues as to what contents should be taken into account both in the individual patient-doctor contact and in psychoeducational interventions.

Address for correspondence:
Dr Sławomir Murawiec
Centrum Zdrowia Psychicznego Instytutu Psychiatrii i Neurologii
ul.Sobieskiego 9, 02-957 Warszawa
tel. 22 458 27 17
e-mail: murawiec@ipin.edu.pl