Joseph Finkelstein1, Oleg Lapshin. 1. Chronic Disease Informatics Group, Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, The University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA. jfinkels@epi.umaryland.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to investigate the efficacy and feasibility of a web-based depression stigma education tool for healthcare professionals. METHODS: A web-based depression stigma program utilizing adult learning theories was developed. Forty-two consecutive subjects were enrolled from University of Maryland staff and graduate students. Primary outcomes were Bogardus Social Distance Scale with a vignette on major depression disorder (BSDS-MDD) and the Depression Stigma Scale (DSS) administered before and after the intervention. RESULTS: Internet-based education significantly decreased the level of depression stigma (BSDS-MDD 10.6+/-4.4 versus 7.2+/-4.4, p<0.001; DSS-personal 12.7+/-7.2 versus 7.8+/-5.3, p<0.001; DSS-perceived 21.7+/-5.5 versus 12.4+/-5.5, p<0.001). After the educational intervention the subjects' knowledge about depression significantly improved (pre-test DKS=18.2+/-8.2 versus post-test DKS=20.6+/-4.1, p<0.001). The program was very well accepted by participants. For 100% of participants, it was not difficult to operate the program. CONCLUSIONS: Computer-assisted education was effective in reducing the stigma of depression and increasing knowledge about depressive disorder. A web-based intervention has the potential to be used for educating graduate students and university staff about depression and for reducing depression stigmata. Healthcare professionals interacting with people with stigmatizing conditions can benefit from web-based computer education.
OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to investigate the efficacy and feasibility of a web-based depression stigma education tool for healthcare professionals. METHODS: A web-based depression stigma program utilizing adult learning theories was developed. Forty-two consecutive subjects were enrolled from University of Maryland staff and graduate students. Primary outcomes were Bogardus Social Distance Scale with a vignette on major depression disorder (BSDS-MDD) and the Depression Stigma Scale (DSS) administered before and after the intervention. RESULTS: Internet-based education significantly decreased the level of depression stigma (BSDS-MDD 10.6+/-4.4 versus 7.2+/-4.4, p<0.001; DSS-personal 12.7+/-7.2 versus 7.8+/-5.3, p<0.001; DSS-perceived 21.7+/-5.5 versus 12.4+/-5.5, p<0.001). After the educational intervention the subjects' knowledge about depression significantly improved (pre-test DKS=18.2+/-8.2 versus post-test DKS=20.6+/-4.1, p<0.001). The program was very well accepted by participants. For 100% of participants, it was not difficult to operate the program. CONCLUSIONS: Computer-assisted education was effective in reducing the stigma of depression and increasing knowledge about depressive disorder. A web-based intervention has the potential to be used for educating graduate students and university staff about depression and for reducing depression stigmata. Healthcare professionals interacting with people with stigmatizing conditions can benefit from web-based computer education.
Authors: Ye Rong; Nick Glozier; Georgina M Luscombe; Tracey A Davenport; Yueqin Huang; Ian B Hickie Journal: BMC Psychiatry Date: 2011-03-08 Impact factor: 3.630
Authors: Mary Davis; June L Ventura; Mary Wieners; Sharon N Covington; Vien H Vanderhoof; Mary E Ryan; Deloris E Koziol; Vaishali B Popat; Lawrence M Nelson Journal: Fertil Steril Date: 2009-02-24 Impact factor: 7.329