title: Exploring the self-learning experiences of patients with depression participating in a multimedia education program.
abstract: The purpose of the present study was to explore the self-learning experiences of depression patients on interactive multimedia education program. Qualitative in-depth interviews were employed. Fourteen patients with a first episode of major depression were recruited from a psychiatric outpatient department. Explanations of the purposes of the exercise and on-the-spot teaching were provided by the researcher before the study began. A tape-recorded, semi-structured interview format was employed after two weeks. Data analysis was performed in the framework of line-by-line content, contextual and thematic analysis. Eight subjects successfully completed the entire learning activities. Content analysis revealed 4 main aspects of successful self-learning experiences: the triggering of learning motivation, the enjoyment of self-paced learning, support for the effects of learning materials, and the gaining of self- awareness and changes. The factors influencing learning performance were related to: environmental impact, the degree of familiarity with traditional learning, possession or non-possession of the necessary computer operation skills, and good computer support. However, the findings provide a preliminary understanding of the application of interactive multimedia education programs in terms of self-learning outcomes and recognizing key elements of learning impediments among the study sample. A larger sample size with different clinical contexts is recommended to determine the effect and generalizability for future research. Furthermore, the creation of a computerized learning environment with different educational styles is crucial to patients' success in obtaining depression-related information and understanding effective adaptive skills.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Fooyin University, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Mei-Hsien
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Chou
authors.forename: Mei-Feng
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Mei-Chi
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: Yao-Hua
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Huei-Fan
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Hu
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001292:Attitude to Computers; D003197:Computer Literacy; D003200:Computer User Training; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009042:Motivation; D019212:Multimedia; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011588:Psychology, Educational; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014584:User-Computer Interface