Table 3 Information needs reported by studies on people with anxiety (k = 23 studies)
Theme | Information Needs | Number and Percentage of Studies |
|---|---|---|
General facts about anxiety (k = 17; 73.9%) | Symptoms | 9 (52.9%) |
Diagnosis (diagnostic criteria; meaning of diagnosis) | 7 (41.2%) | |
Aetiology (causes of anxiety; scientific details) | 5 (29.4%) | |
General information on anxiety | 3 (17.6%) | |
Prevalence of anxiety | 3 (17.6%) | |
Prognosis (length/course of anxiety; recovery) | 3 (17.6%) | |
Whether anxiety is normal | 2 (11.8%) | |
Information on suicidal thoughts | 2 (11.8%) | |
Risks of developing anxiety based on family history | 1 (5.9%) | |
Treatment (k = 21; 91.3%) | Treatment options and comparison between options | 12 (57.1%) |
Side effects of treatment | 11 (52.4%) | |
General information on medication | 9 (42.9%) | |
Effectiveness/benefits of treatment and expected outcomes | 7 (33.3%) | |
Length of treatment | 4 (19.0%) | |
Psychosocial or nonpharmacological interventions | 4 (19.0%) | |
Appropriate use of medication (e.g., dosage) | 4 (19.0%) | |
Mechanisms or (non-)pharmacological actions of medications | 3 (14.3%) | |
Explanation of specific procedures and approaches used | 2 (9.5%) | |
Issues related to addiction, tolerance, and dependence of medication | 2 (9.5%) | |
Adverse drug reactions | 2 (9.5%) | |
What does the prescribed dose indicate about patients’ condition | 1 (4.8%) | |
Placebo/nocebo effects | 1 (4.8%) | |
Lived experience (k = 7; 30.4%) | Other people’s experience of anxiety in general | 6 (85.7%) |
Other people’s experience of taking medications for anxiety | 1 (14.3%) | |
Other people’s experience of recovery from anxiety | 1 (14.3%) | |
Healthcare services (k = 14; 60.9%) | Available local services (e.g., hospitals, clinics, day care) | 11 (78.6%) |
Healthcare professionals (e.g., psychologists, psychiatrists) | 6 (42.9%) | |
How or where to get help | 5 (35.7%) | |
Support groups & patient associations | 5 (35.7%) | |
Role of psychologists | 1 (7.1%) | |
Coping & self-management (k = 8; 34.8%) | Strategies to cope with anxiety and alleviate symptoms | 7 (87.5%) |
Improving independent living skills (coping with everyday life) | 3 (37.5%) | |
Managing medication side effects | 1 (12.5%) | |
What to do in case of no response to medication | 1 (12.5%) | |
Strategies to improve self-esteem | 1 (12.5%) | |
Coping with stigma/discrimination | 1 (12.5%) | |
Financial & legal information (k = 3; 13.0%) | Financial assistance | 2 (66.7%) |
Cost of treatment | 1 (33.3%) | |
Mental health law | 1 (33.3%) | |
Other information needs (k = 4; 17.4%) | Information for relatives | 2 (50.0%) |
How to figure out severity of mental disorder | 1 (25.0%) | |
Interpretation of information from patient information leaflets and the internet | 1 (25.0%) |