JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Digital technology and social networks are part of everyday life in current Internet Age, especially among young people. To date, there are few studies published worldwide on the pattern of use of digital technology devices and applications in patients with early stage schizophrenia. In Spain no such study has been carried out.

Objective:

The aim of this study is to analyze how patients with early stage schizophrenia compared with healthy participants matched by age and gender use Internet and social networks, and which devices are utilized to access Internet resources.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study is proposed through a semi-structured interview asking for the use of digital technology devices and Internet. The participants included in the study were n=90 patients and n=90 healthy participants. The semi-structured interview was passed to 30 outpatients and 30 healthy subjects in each of three different cities (Madrid, Alicante and Cuenca).

Results:

The results indicate that a large proportion of patients with early stage schizophrenia have access to different digital devices and use them frequently. In addition, both groups coincide in the order of preference and the purpose of use of the devices. However, a lower frequency of use of most digital technology devices is detected in patients compared to healthy participants. For some devices this is due to an impossibility of access and not to a lack of interest.

Conclusions:

The results on access and use of digital technology and Internet shown in this cross-sectional study will allow to plan enhanced and more efficient treatment strategies based on digital technology devices in patients with early stage schizophrenia.