Article2013

Mental Health Practitioners’ Use and Attitudes Regarding the Internet and Social Media

Serina R. Deen · Amy Withers · David J. Hellerstein

52 citations0/0 files storedJournal of Psychiatric Practice

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Social Media in Health Education Telemedicine and Telehealth Implementation Health Literacy and Information Accessibility

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Internet-based technologies, such as email and social media, are being increasingly used by mental health providers. The authors created a survey to better understand mental health providers' practices and attitudes regarding these platforms. METHODS: Psychiatrists and psychologists at Columbia and the New York State Psychiatric Institute completed a 24-item multiple choice and free-text survey about their use of and attitudes toward Internet technologies. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty faculty responded to the survey: 70% percent of respondents reported that they were somewhat or more familiar with social media; 20% reported that they sometimes or often searched for information about their patients online; and 60% said that searching for patients online could have a positive role in ongoing psychiatric care. Respondents with fewer years of practice were significantly more likely to use Facebook/Google Plus, texting, and instant messenger in their personal lives, while those with more years of practice were more likely to use Skype professionally. Practitioners who worked in hospital settings were more likely to search online for information about their patients. Practitioners working in outpatient clinics, private practices, and research settings were more likely to use websites, email, and Skype in their practices. CONCLUSIONS: Mental health care professionals are starting to incorporate Internet technologies into their professional lives, but they remain divided on the ethics and utility of using these technologies in clinical care. There appear to be differences in practices and attitudes toward the Internet among clinicians with different levels of experience and in different practice settings.

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2007When and how do young people seek professional help for mental health problems?2011The Patient–Doctor Relationship and Online Social Networks: Results of a National Survey 2010Facebook activity of residents and fellows and its impact on the doctor–patient relationship 2011Professional Boundaries in the Era of the Internet 2011The Decision to Access Patient Information From a Social Media Site: What Would You Do?2012Physicians who use social media and other internet-based communication technologies

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