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

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.