How and why do people with depression access and utilize online drug information: a qualitative study.
BACKGROUND
People with depression commonly use the Internet to access antidepressant information, but the quality of this information is highly variable. The objective of this study was to assess how and why people use the Internet to access antidepressant information, and the self-reported impact of information obtained online.


METHODS
Six focus groups were conducted with a cross-section of Internet users (n=29) with depression. Focus group transcripts were thematically content analyzed using a constant comparison approach.


RESULTS
Reasons cited for seeking online information included to obtain a second opinion, to verify information provided in the Package Information Leaflet, to prepare to visit to a physician, and to learn about peer experiences. The Internet was used to complement rather than replace information provided by health professionals. The self-reported impacts of utilizing online drug information included increased autonomy, improved knowledge, being reassured, deciding to change a dose, to discontinue a drug and to suggest a new drug to a physician.


CONCLUSIONS
Additional quantitative research and a random sampling technique would be required to obtain generalizable results and to assess the relative importance of the various reasons cited by the focus group participants.


CONCLUSIONS
The Internet was perceived as an important source of additional drug information, particularly when fear of stigmatization or depression related symptoms limited information seeking from other sources. Health professionals should design online services and direct their clients to accurate and reliable sources of online drug information.
Pohjanoksa-Mäntylä
Marika
M
Division of Social Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Helsinki, Finland. marika.pohjanoksa@helsinki.fi
Saari
Johanna K
JK
Närhi
Ulla
U
Karjalainen
Anna
A
Pylkkänen
Kari
K
Airaksinen
Marja S
MS
Bell
J Simon
JS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004346:Drug Information Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010361:Patients; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011787:Quality of Health Care
D000928:Antidepressive Agents