First, Do No Harm: Referring Primary Care Patients with Depression to an Internet Support Group

Brady C Goodwin, Daniel E Ford, Robert C Hsiung, Thomas K Houston, Joshua Fogel, Benjamin W Van Voorhees, Brady C Goodwin, Daniel E Ford, Robert C Hsiung, Thomas K Houston, Joshua Fogel, Benjamin W Van Voorhees

Abstract

Background: Internet Support Groups (ISGs) offer people easy access to information regarding depression as well as support from others who are either currently suffering from depression or have previously suffered from depression. The safety and efficacy of ISGs for people with depression have not been thoroughly studied.

Introduction: The safety and helpfulness of a depression ISG were assessed by analyzing pre- and postintervention depressive symptoms, other psychological outcomes, and participant ratings of helpfulness.

Materials and methods: Participants were recruited through self-referral from six primary care offices. Participants were given access to a depression ISG and participated in an ISG for 6 weeks.

Results: Thirty-four (n = 34) participants enrolled in the study (mean age = 32.53, standard deviation [SD] = 16.10). Depressive symptoms approached significance for decreasing over time and self-efficacy increased over time. No self-harm occurred over the course of the study, but two participants developed self-harm ideation. Ratings of ISG helpfulness were mixed.

Discussion: Primary care patients participating in depression ISGs reported few adverse experiences directly related to the ISG. Depressive symptoms and self-efficacy have beneficial findings while ratings of helpfulness were mixed.

Conclusions: Primary care patients can benefit from the use of an ISG. This could be particularly pertinent to people in rural settings where mental health resources are not as available. An ISG offers a low-cost and easily accessible resource for primary care patients with depression.

Keywords: depressive disorder; e-health; internet; risk assessment; self-help groups.

Conflict of interest statement

Dr. Van Voorhees has served as a consultant for Prevail Health Solutions, Inc., Mevident, Inc., Verimed, Inc., and Social Kinetics, Inc. The University of Chicago has granted a no-cost license to Mevident, Inc., to adapt the CATCH-IT intervention. Dr. Van Voorhees has agreed to support the company working 5.5 days as consultant at $1,000/day. Dr. Hsiung is the single member of Dr. Bob, LLC, which owns and operates the Psycho-Babble ISG. The net revenue of Dr. Bob, LLC, is less than $1000/year. All other authors have no competing financial interests.

Source: PubMed

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