BACKGROUND: "Laere og Støtte" (LOS) is the Norwegian version of an information programme (Rhythms) developed in the United States for patients with depression who are treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) in general practice. The patients receive seven booklets by mail over a period of seven months. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In order to examine customer satisfaction we sent a questionnaire to 920 patients that had subscribed to the information programme. We got valid information from 413 (44.8%) of the patients. RESULTS: Patients were generally quite satisfied with the information, its pacing and intelligibility. 281 (72.2%) were very satisfied or satisfied with the content, and 264 (66.2%) reported that the programme had motivated them to continue medication. We found minimal differences in responses as to gender, marital status, and former depression. INTERPRETATION: The programme was considered helpful by the majority of the respondents as a supplement to the drug treatment of depression in general practice. A weakness of the study is the low response rate; we presume a bias toward those who are satisfied with the programme.
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Comment In: Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 2002 Aug 20;122(19):186212362705