The use of technologies and social media in patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder

Abstract

Introduction

Technologies such as the phone , the computer , and social media network nowadays are becoming more and more available to everyone including patients with mental illnesses.

Objectives

Our study aimed to examine the prevalence of technology use in individuals with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder.

Methods

Study participants were recruited from the outpatient unit of the department C of psychiatry in Hedi Chaker hospital of Sfax , Tunisia. A total of 38 male patients were recruited , from whom the diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder according to the DSM-5 criteria had been confirmed. Socio-demographic and clinical information as well as details about their technology use were was collected from all the patients.

Results

Of the 38 study participants, 65.8% owned a cell phone , and 52.6% used the cell phone to send or receive messages. A rate of 21.1% owned a computer , 34.2% had internet access and 28.9% had an email account. A rate of 23.7% used social media. Facebook was the most popular social media site. 72% of cell phone owners would like to communicate with their doctor via text messages , and 68% would like to be reminded of their appointments via text messages. Among social media users , 55.6% expressed their interest in a social-media-based doctor-patient communication and appointment reminders.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that these technologies afford an opportunity to improve the management of these patients.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.