Keeping in touch. Cell phone use in people with schizophrenia disorders.
There is limited research exploring telephone intervention for psychiatric clients; no studies specific to cell phone use have been conducted. This pilot study examined the feasibility and acceptability of cell phone use in individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs). Ten outpatients with SSDs were provided with previously activated cell phones for 5 months; trained nurses contacted participants weekly. Seven participants completed the 5-month follow-up period. A minority of participants reported difficulty retrieving messages and answering or charging their phone. These preliminary findings indicate the majority of individuals with SSDs are willing to use this method of communication and are able to do so with few problems. Possible barriers to the use of cell phones with this group include lifestyle factors and poor decision making. Future investigations should examine the use of cell phone access to foster personal safety, gain a sense of connectedness to others, and enhance quality of life.
Beebe
Lora Humphrey
LH
University of Tennessee, College of Nursing, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA. lbeebe1@utk.edu
Smith
Kathlene
K
Bennett
Chris
C
Bentley
Katherine
K
Walters
Amanda B
AB
Hancock
Beverly
B
Farmer
Shirley Y
SY
Earle
Karen
K
White
Sheila
S
D000328:Adult; D040421:Cell Phone; D003155:Community Mental Health Centers; D003657:Decision Making; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000451:nursing*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology