Use and value of information sources by parents of child psychiatric patients

Abstract

Objective: With Web 2.0, the variety of information sources for parents of paediatric psychiatric patients has increased dramatically. Information use theory suggests newer sources supplement rather than supplant traditional sources of health information. This study sought to determine the use and value of traditional and emerging sources of information and whether the subjects had access to highly valued sources of information. Methods: One hundred parents indicated the use and value of six sources of information on the child's symptoms, diagnoses and treatment. The data were analyzed to determine if significant relationships existed between type of source and the use and value of the information sources. Results: Ninety-four percent of the subjects had access to the Internet and almost half of those reported using the Social Web. Eighty-five percent had at least one high-value information source. The psychiatrist in the clinic, the Internet and the primary care physician were the most highly used and valued sources. Conclusion: Use of digital information sources was greater than found in other studies of similar populations. This use appears to complement rather than supplant more traditional sources. Further studies are needed to see if the negative impact of lack of Internet access is replicated.

How well do websites concerning children’s anxiety answer parents’ questions about treatment choices?

“…The authors of this study also found that parents are most likely to find this information through search engines such as Google, as opposed to recommendations from friends or advertisements (Plantin & Daneback, 2009). More recently, it has been shown that 78% of parents of children attending psychiatric outpatient services use the Internet to search for information concerning symptoms, diagnoses, and treatment of their children’s mental health problems (Turner, Kabashit, Guthriet, Burket, & Turner, 2011). Furthermore, results of this study indicated that 50% of parents reported highly valuing the Internet as a source of mental health information, second only to contact with the physician in their psychiatric clinic (Turner et al, 2011).…”

“…More recently, it has been shown that 78% of parents of children attending psychiatric outpatient services use the Internet to search for information concerning symptoms, diagnoses, and treatment of their children’s mental health problems (Turner, Kabashit, Guthriet, Burket, & Turner, 2011). Furthermore, results of this study indicated that 50% of parents reported highly valuing the Internet as a source of mental health information, second only to contact with the physician in their psychiatric clinic (Turner et al, 2011). Online information has been shown to enhance both the quality and quantity of information given by health professionals, support patients in medical decision-making, as well as limit the need for in-person professional consultation (Couper et al, 2010; Gray, Klein, Noyce, Sesselberg, & Cantrill, 2005).…”

Patient information comes of age

“…Two articles examined the way in which consumers access and use information sources. Turner et al . examined how parents of child psychiatric patients use and value information sources.…”

“…Two articles examined the way in which consumers access and use information sources. Turner et al 8 examined how parents of child psychiatric patients use and value information sources. They found that in the population studied, almost half reported using the Social Web and 85% were able to identify at least one high-value information source.…”

EditorialEvidence based library and information practice

“…Whilst EBLIP6 can help you meet your desires to use professional events as a sources of information, the Health Information and Libraries Journal (HILJ) can help you meet your need for reports of research projects. Unsurprisingly in the current economic climate, the importance of demonstrating value and impact are a recurring theme in the articles featured in this issue of HILJ, both from a clinician 16 and a user perspective 17 18 collaborating with library users to develop web resources; 19 a review of the impact of resources 20 and of information literacy training for junior doctors 21 also feature.…”