[How is an information program for depressed patients perceived?].
BACKGROUND
"Laere og Støtte" (LOS) is the Norwegian version of an information programme (Rhythms) developed in the United States for patients with depression who are treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) in general practice. The patients receive seven booklets by mail over a period of seven months.


METHODS
In order to examine customer satisfaction we sent a questionnaire to 920 patients that had subscribed to the information programme. We got valid information from 413 (44.8%) of the patients.


RESULTS
Patients were generally quite satisfied with the information, its pacing and intelligibility. 281 (72.2%) were very satisfied or satisfied with the content, and 264 (66.2%) reported that the programme had motivated them to continue medication. We found minimal differences in responses as to gender, marital status, and former depression.


CONCLUSIONS
The programme was considered helpful by the majority of the respondents as a supplement to the drug treatment of depression in general practice. A weakness of the study is the low response rate; we presume a bias toward those who are satisfied with the programme.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D010174:Pamphlets; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000592:standards*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D015397:Program Evaluation; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
Hvordan oppleves et informasjonsprogram for deprimerte?