A new study, however, offers evidence suggesting that "using the Internet for health purposes [is] associated with increased depression," which doesn't sound like a health and wellbeing improvement! "The increase [in depression] may be due to increased rumination, unnecessary alarm, or over-attention to health problems," said the researchers (see "Effects of Internet Use on Health and Depression: A Longitudinal Study"; Bessière K, Pressman S, Kiesler S, Kraut R; J Med Internet Res 2010 (Mar 12); 12(1):e6).
"It may be that one source of the increase in depression is the misinformation people get from factually incorrect websites," say the researchers. "This may lead to inaccurate self-diagnosis, poor health behaviors (eg, herbal remedies), or potentially unnecessary worry (for both healthy and ill populations)." This is similar to the argument used by the drug industry in support of more lax regulation by the FDA. If consumers and patients had easier access to FDA-approved information, it would counterbalance the bad information, claims the industry.
Use of Social Networks May Decrease Depression
The study also found that "using the Internet to communicate with friends and family was associated with declines in depression." Although not studied in this research, perhaps online social networking with other patients also is associated with declines in depression.
This study was conducted between 2000 and 2002 and the researchers recognize that the Internet and access to it have changed dramatically since then, especially the rise of social networking resources. "The quality of health information and support online may have improved," say the researchers, "and Internet users today may no longer use Internet resources in the same fashion as they did during the time period of our study..."
Perhaps if drug companies could more easily supply hopeful messages about effective treatments via the Internet, online health information seekers may be less depressed. Online health information seekers may even be the opposite of depressed -- ie, joyful -- if drug companies were to support open and authentic social networks where patients can exchange personal information and share stories.
Beware of the Disgruntled Patient!
Drug companies, however, should NOT OWN or CONTROL these kinds of social networks because of DPS -- the "disgruntled patient syndrome," which was most recently brought to light by the sanofi-aventis VOICES Facebook Fiasco (see "Disgruntled Patient Shuts Down sanofi-aventis Facebook Page"). As I have said previously, Pharma Should Leave Unmoderated SM Discussions to 3rd Parties (see here).
I agree with you.
ReplyDeleteBesides, blaming Internet for depressed users is a poor cover for bad news that companies and industry bring to people.
FDA should start from the roots, so to say
What is all this about? Now they invent research to prove that health info on the web should be pharma-censored? Thanks God, the interner has opened the eyes and saved more than one patient (and me) from undue pain, useless medicine and invasive procedures.
ReplyDeleteThe patients then go on to describe how their families are the most difficult human beings on the planet, and how there is just no way their parents will ever be approachable like that, let alone alter the way they interact with the patient.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you.
ReplyDeleteBesides, blaming Internet for depressed users is a poor cover for bad news that companies and industry bring to people.
FDA should start from the roots, so to say
If drug companies could more easily supply hopeful messages about effective treatments via the Internet, online health information seekers may be less depressed.
ReplyDeleteThere are some problems about internet-shared health tips. Some are fraud and few are correct. In checking for the right feedback, make sure that the site was reliable in sharing you good health tips.
ReplyDeleteOh please last thing we need is these health companies monitoring or controlling social networking sites! To be honest I think most health organizations cause depression way more than the Internet with their huge bills, people get sick and they see it as an opportunity to make money how sick is that, blaming it on Internet is ridiculous.
ReplyDelete