Next generation of self-management education: Web-based bipolar disorder program.
OBJECTIVE
Education and self-management training assist patients with bipolar disorder to take control of their condition and to reduce disability, but the timeliness and availability of the education are important. A free Web-based bipolar education program has been recently developed to provide accessible evidence-based information for patients, carers and health professionals. The present paper describes the nine-module program, reports usage data and user profiles, and overviews the aims and methodology of a randomized controlled trial to measure its impact.


METHODS
Customized Web reports were developed to measure usage of the Web-based program, and to profile its users on a month-by-month basis. Data on the percentage of completers of each module were also collected. A randomized controlled trial evaluating the program in people with newly diagnosed bipolar disorder was also commenced.


RESULTS
More than 8,000 visitors used the online program in its first 6 months. Users were predominantly female, of a broad cross-section of ages, 43.5% with bipolar disorder, and with the remainder describing themselves as health professionals, carers/family/friends of a person with bipolar disorder or members of the general public. The majority (76%) completed the sessions they commenced.


CONCLUSIONS
The Web-based education program is attracting a steady stream of users and is exhibiting good completion rates. This preliminary support for the program's utility requires validation from our randomized controlled trial before definite conclusions can be drawn.
Proudfoot
Judith
J
School of Psychiatry, University of NSW and Black Dog Institute, Randwick, NSW, Australia. j.proudfoot@unsw.edu.au
Parker
Gordon
G
Hyett
Matthew
M
Manicavasagar
Vijaya
V
Smith
Meg
M
Grdovic
Sue
S
Greenfield
Leah
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D017028:Caregivers; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D010555:Personality Inventory; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires