Leila Banifatemeh
1 
, Nadjla Hariri
1* , Mostafa Farahbakhsh
2 1 Department of Knowledge and Information Science, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran
2 Research Centre of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
Abstract
Background. Bipolar disorder is a chronic condition that necessitates lifelong medication, therapeutic interventions, and self-care. People with bipolar disorder and their families may have varied experiences regarding sleep management, stress, interpersonal relationships, and anger, which are frequently overlooked. In the current study, the knowledge acquired by patients with bipolar disorder and their families was evaluated. Then, an appropriate model for managing self-care knowledge among individuals with bipolar disorder was proposed.
Methods. The current mixed-methods study was conducted in four stages. The first stage involved a systematic review and meta-synthesis study in the field of knowledge management in the healthcare system. The second stage involved assessing the self-care experiences of patients with bipolar disorder. In the third stage, the codes obtained from the previous stages were prioritized by experts using Delphi techniques. In the fourth stage, a researcher prepared, validated, and distributed a questionnaire among mental health service providers stages. Finally, the personal knowledge management model of self-care and experience in individuals with bipolar disorder and their families was presented.
Conclusion. Almost half of patients with bipolar disorder do not adhere to their long-term treatment. Also, this disease requires patients to perform self-care activities in addition to drug therapy. So, the design and implementation of a knowledge management model for self-care and experience in people with bipolar disorder can be effective in improving their self-care behaviors and quality of life.
Extended Abstract
Background
Bipolar disorder is a chronic condition that requires lifelong medication, other therapeutic approaches, and self-care. People with bipolar disorder and their families may have diverse experiences related to sleep, stress, interpersonal relationships, and anger, which are often overlooked. Most of the previous studies have been focused on knowledge management among healthcare providers; however, there is a lack of research on knowledge management among patients with mental disorders. Medical information experts serve as a bridge between specialists, healthcare providers, and patients enabling them to gather and exchange information through advanced technological methods. In the current study, the knowledge generated among patients with bipolar disorder and their families was evaluated, and subsequently, an appropriate model for managing self-care knowledge among individuals with bipolar disorder was proposed.
Methods
The current mixed-methods study was conducted in four stages. The first stage involved a systematic review and meta-synthesis study in the field of knowledge management in healthcare system. The second stage, which was qualitative, included assessing the self-care experiences of individuals with bipolar disorder. At this stage, the data were collected via semi-structured interviews. The interviews were continued until data saturation was reached. MAXQDA software (version 2020) was used for qualitative data analysis. In the third stage, the codes obtained from the previous stages were prioritized by the Delphi technique from the experts’ point of view in the areas of knowledge management and mental health education. The fourth stage, which was quantitative, was conducted using a questionnaire. For this purpose, a researcher-made questionnaire was designed by combining the codes obtained from the previous steps. After finalizing the questionnaire, it was distributed among mental health service providers (psychiatrists, psychologists, family doctors, psychiatric assistants, and nurses) to be filled out. The sample size was estimated to be 100 people using the formula n=Z2PQ/d2 and considering P=0.5, a confidence factor of 95%, and a standard error of 0.1. The participants were recruited via convenience sampling and considering the eligibility criteria. SPSS was used to analyze the data. Finally, the personal knowledge management model of self-care and experience in people with bipolar disorder and their families was presented.
Conclusion
Given that almost half of the patients with bipolar disorder do not adhere to their long-term treatment, and considering that this disease requires the patients to engage in self-care activities in addition to drug therapy, it can be concluded that designing and implementing a knowledge management model for self-care and experience in individuals with bipolar disorder can be effective in improving their self-care behaviors and quality of life.