Benefits of using NHS Choices amongst site users wanting to improve their mental health

Customer Insight Public information 1

May 2013

Benefits of NHS Choices for site users

wanting to improve their mental health


Contents

• Introduction

• Sample and methodology

• Who is using NHS Choices for mental health?

• How is NHS Choices being used for mental health?

• What is the impact of NHS Choices on mental health?

• How does NHS Choices impact on behaviour?

• What other online resources do users use?


Introduction.

• According to mentalhealth.org 1 in 4 people will experience some kind of

mental health problem in the course of the year. Mixed anxiety and depression

is the most common mental disorder in Britain and places a huge strain on the

NHS.

• NHS Choices contains much content that aims to offer guidance and tackle

mental health by offering information on signs and symptoms, treatment, self-

management techniques e.g. exercising regularly, eating healthily and utilising

support services.

• The overarching objective of this research is to help inform whether there has

been a decrease in the burden of treating mental health conditions by

evaluating the self-reported impact and evidence of behaviour change – in

particular – self-management techniques, which in turn will highlight the

effectiveness of the mental health content.


Sample and Methodology

Type of survey Online pop-up survey on selected pages of the NHSC website

Methodology Online survey

Fieldwork dates February to May 2013

Sample Total sample completes N=851

Sample distribution General public – self selecting sample of site visiting for themselves

Invitation page /conditions/pages/hub.aspx

/conditions/depression/pages/symptoms.aspx

/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/Pages/understanding-stress.aspx

/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/Pages/reduce-stress.aspx

/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/Pages/low-mood-stress-

anxiety.aspx

Sample & Methodology


5

Conclusions

1. 56% of survey participants have used NHS Choices for managing a

mental health condition and 44% have used it to manage general

mental wellbeing.

2. 67% of NHS users have utilised the depression self assessment

tool. 50% have utilised written information on mental health

conditions.

6. Data suggests NHS Choices helps facilitate and maintain

behavioural change for good mental health.

Key takeaways

5. Overall 63% of users reported to be satisfied or very satisfied with

NHS Choices for helping improve or manage their mental

health/condition.

3. NHS Choices has prompted 59% of users to seek help from a health

care professional to improve/manage their mental wellbeing/condition.

20% have reported to have used support groups/phone lines.

4. 25% of users have increased GP/Practice nurse visits and 15% of

users have decreased GP/practice nurse visits due to NHS Choices.


Who is using NHS Choices

for mental health?


Profile: Predominantly females, diagnosed with a mental health

condition, aged between 25-54 and employed.

Female

80%

Male

20%

3%

14%

15%

25%

16%

17%

8%

2%

1%

Under 16

16-19

20-24

25-34

35-44

45-54

55-64

65-74

75+Base: all respondents = 851

Profile of respondents who use NHS Choices to achieve health goals

Gender

Age

35%

15%

8% 8% 8%

23%

4%

Employment status

Yes

70%

No

30%

Diagnosed with a

mental health

condition


56% of respondents use NHS Choice to manage a mental health

condition and 44% use it to improve/maintain general wellbeing.

Manage a

mental

health

condition

56%

Improve/

maintain

general

mental

wellbeing

44%

Base: all respondents = 851

Have you ever used the NHS Choices to help you achieve any of the following?


How is NHS Choices being

used for mental health?


67%

50%

39%

36%

34%

33%

30%

26%

16%

16%

11%

8%

Depression self

assessment

Written information on

mental health conditions


treatments

Mood self assessment


therapy and counselling

Written advice and tips

Finding mental health

support

Wellbeing assessment

Written real stories

Get active for mental well

being

Moodzone

Video: mental health

attitudes

10

Base: All respondents = 851

3.7

4.1

4.0

3.6

3.8

3.9

3.4

3.6

4.1

3.9

3.6

3.8

Approximately two thirds have used the depression self assessment and half

have utilised written information on mental health conditions. What have you used on NHS Choices to help you improve/maintain your mental wellbeing or manage a health condition?

On a scale of 1 to 5, how useful have the following been in helping you achieve your mental health goals?

% of respondents who agree with the statements (Top 2 box)


11

Depression self assessment tool.

How useful has the depression self assessment tool been in helping you

achieve your mental wellbeing/health goal?

3.7

Qualitative responses n=119

Confirmed suspicions of being depressed 10%

Visited the GP/Sought help 9%

Helped understand feelings 5%

Useful for monitoring/tracking mood 3%

Determine extent of depression 2%

Q. How useful have the following been in helping you achieve your mental wellbeing/health goal(s)? Why

do you say that?

It made the symptoms clear,

and helped me realise that I

was suffering from

depression.

Helped me to understand myself,

felt better realising there was a

reason why I was feeling this way,

and that there was something I could

do about it.


12

Written advice on mental health conditions.

How useful has the written advice on mental health conditions been in helping

you achieve your mental wellbeing/health goal?

4.1


Information

Information useful/helpful 14%

Aid understanding of symptoms/feelings 20%

Clear and trustworthy information 5%

Factual information 5%

Not enough/in depth information 2%

Action

Sought help from GP/Nurse 5%

Emotional support

Realise I am not alone 2%


do you say that?

Helped to know more about

symptoms and to realise that I

may need to seek help.

I trust the NHS as a source of

unbiased, appropriate

information.

I trust the NHS as a

source of unbiased,

appropriate

information.


13

Written advice on treatments.

How useful has the written advice on treatments been in helping you achieve

your mental wellbeing/health goal?

4.0


Treatment options

Good information on treatment options 12%

Factual information 5%

Concise information 3%

Not enough information 5%

Side effects

Good information on side effects 3%

Helped decide whether to take treatment 2%


do you say that?

Clear information

which is jargon-

free and to the point

.

Helpful to see

different

options available.


14

Mood self assessment tool.

How useful has the Mood self assessment tool been in helping you achieve

your mental wellbeing/health goal?

3.6


Information

Information useful/helpful 13%

Helped me understand/realise mood/put feelings into

perspective

3%

Ease of use

Simple tool 5%

Difficult assessment

Tool does not take into account enough symptoms 4%


do you say that?

It helped me to realise I was

low in mood. Never really occurred to me before

that I might be suffering from anxiety.


What is the impact of NHS

Choices on mental health?


16

Action taken to improve/mental wellbeing/conditions as result of using NHS

Choices.


Sought support

Sought help from GP/doctor 23%

Taken up CBT course 3%

Sought help from support groups 1%

Self help techniques/coping strategies

More active/exercise more 10%

Changed/improved diet 2%

Practice relaxation techniques 1%

Research

Researched treatments 1%

No action taken 16%

Q. What actions, if any, have you taken to help you improve or manage your mental wellbeing/condition

because of using NHS Choices?

I make sure I take

regular exercise and

try to eat well.

I went to see my GP and

gained access to medication

and counselling support.

I make sure I take

regular exercise and

try to eat well.


As a result of NHS Choices three fifths of respondents have sought help

from a health care professional to improve/manage their mental

wellbeing/condition. One fifth have reported to have used support

groups/phone lines.

No

41%Yes

59%


Have you sought help from the GP or other

healthcare professionals to help you improve or

manage your mental wellbeing condition because of

using NHS Choices?

No

81%

Yes

19%

Have you used support groups/phone lines to help

you improve or manage your mental

wellbeing/condition because of using NHS Choices?

Manage mental

condition

Improve mental

well being

Yes 65 52

No 35 48


14%17%15%

25%22%23%

40

20

0

20

40

60

80

100

Overall Improve/maintain general

wellbeing

Manage a mental health

condition

% o

f physic

ians

Increase

Decrease

25% of users have increased GP/Practice nurse visits and 15% of users have

decreased GP/practice nurse visits due to NHS Choices.

How has NHS Choices affected the number of visits that you make to the

GP/Practice nurse about your mental wellbeing/condition?



19

Impact of NHS Choices and decrease in GP visits.

N=125

Able to self manage symptoms/low mood 8%

Information required/needed is available on NHS

Choices

7%

Site provided reassuring information 5%

Feel reassured about symptoms/symptom checker 4%

Better understanding of condition and symptoms 3%

Patients stories are comforting and reassuring 2%

NHS Choices facilitated changes e.g. diet 2%

It (NHS Choices)

reassures me in the

same way a visit

would.

Because the advice is

available online that i

would otherwise get from a

professional.

Questions can be answered

by looking at the site so no

need to contact GP for

something simple.

Essentially I can take action

myself and employ strategies

to help lift my mood /

manage my 'low' times .

Please explain how NHS Choices has decreased the number of visits you

make to the GP/Practice nurse about your mental wellbeing/health?


20

31%

43%

36%

Manage a mental condition

Maintain/improve mental

wellbeing

Overall

Overall 36% of users reported NHS helped them self improve or self manage

their mental well being/condition.

Q. Overall, on scale of 1-5, to what extent has NHS Choices helped you self improve or self

manage your mental well being/condition?

Top 2 box (4 and 5 only)



How does NHS Choices

impact on behaviour?


Adaptation of DiClemente model of behaviour change.

Information/knowledge Individual is aware of the

importance/benefits of

managing/improving

mental wellbeing/conditions

Contemplation Individual thinks about

change

Ready to change Individual gets into the action

stage e.g. visiting GP or

eating healthier Make a change Integrating healthy

behaviour in the general

lifestyle

Maintaining a change Maintaining mental health

Relapse Previous behaviour

Is resumed

Results support change Direct experience

of benefits


61%

55%

55%

53%

I'm more conscious of the warning signs

of poor mental wellbeing/health

I'm more conscious about the importance

of managing mental wellbeing/health

I'm more conscious of self help

techniques to improve mental

wellbeing/health e.g eating healthily &

exercising

I'm more conscious of the external

factors that disturb mental

wellbeing/health

23

Data suggests NHS Choices imparts useful information/knowledge on

mental health.

Knowledge

Q. Below is a grid containing statements of possible outcomes you may have had as a result

of using the NHS Choices site. On a scale of 1 to 5 to what extent do you agree or disagree

with the following statements?




57%

53%

42%

24%

I'm contemplating working with my

GP/healthcare professional to help me

improve and manage my mental

wellbeing

I'm contemplating taking action to

improve & manage my mental

wellbeing/health

I'm contemplating contacting support

groups/help lines to improve & manage

my mental wellbeing

I'm contemplating living a healthier

lifestyle (regular exercise & eating

healthier) to improve and manage my

mental wellbeing

24

Data suggests NHS Choices helps facilitates actions for improving

mental health.

Contemplation

for change








44%

40%

38%

34%

34%

34%

28%

I feel I have more coping strategies to

maintain & manage my mental

wellbeing

I feel I have more support to help me

maintain & manage my mental

wellbeing

Overall I feel better

I am enjoying life more

I am more active

I am eating better

I am sleeping better

25

Data suggests NHS Choices empowers users to maintain and manage

their mental wellbeing.




with the following statements? Results



56%

46%

20%

I will take care of my mental wellbeing

by seeking advice from the

GP/healthcare professional when

necessary

I will continue to take care of my

mental wellbeing by eating healthily

and taking regular exercise

I will take care of my mental wellbeing

by utilising support groups

26

Data suggests NHS Choices helps facilitate & maintain behavioural

change for managing mental wellbeing.

Maintaining

change







17%

9%

9%

9%

3%

3%

4%

46%

Just started

1-2 months

3-4 months

5-6 months

7-8 months

9-10 months

11-12 months

More than one year

Overall

27

Almost half of users have used NHS Choices for more than one year to

manage/improve their mental health. Q. How long have you been using NHS Choices to help you improve or manage your mental

health/condition?



45

45

22

29

17

4

2

4

4

1

4

41

Very dissatisfied Very satisfied

Satisfied Dissatisfied

Overall

Improve/maintain

general mental wellbeing

Manage a mental

condition

Overall 63% of users reported to be satisfied or very satisfied with NHS

Choices for helping improve or manage their mental health/condition.

17%

Neither satisfied

or dissatisfied

% of respondents

= 73%

Q. How would you rate your overall satisfaction with NHS Choices to help you improve or

manage your mental health/condition?


= 63%

= 62%

23%

27%


17%

4%3%

6%

33%

37%

Definitely

Probably

Not sure

Definitely not

Probably not

Don’t know

11%

4%3%4%

34%

44%

Overall two thirds of users anticipate to continue using NHS Choices to help

achieve their mental health goals and are likely to recommend NHS Choices.

Manage a mental health condition Improve/maintain general

mental well being Overall

Q. How likely are you to recommend NHS Choices to a friend, colleague or family member to help them improve or

manage their mental health/condition?

21%

4%4%

8%

33%

30%

Improve/maintain

general mental well

being

23%

8%3%

38%

28%

Definitely

Probably

Not sure

Definitely not

Probably not

26%

9%

3%

38%

24%

Manage a mental

health condition Overall

Q. Do you anticipate continuing using NHS Choices to help you improve or manage your mental health/condition?

19%

7% 3%

37%

34%


Other sites used


42%

24%

19%

15%

14%

13%

10%

6%

7%

31%

MIND

BBC Health

Samaritans

Timetochange.org.uk

Rethink.org

Depression Alliance

Moodgym

Youngminds.org.uk

Living Life to the full

Used NHS Choices

only

32

MIND and BBC Health are the most common online sites used in conjunction

with NHS Choices to achieve health goals.

Q. What other websites in addition to NHS Choices have you used to

help you improve or manage your mental health/condition?



Summary

• Those invited to take part in the survey joined because they had used the site to help

them manage their mental wellbeing or condition

• A number of findings support the site has had an impact on reducing the burden of

mental health on the NHS:

• 36% of users reported the site helped them self improve or self manage their mental

wellbeing condition

• 15% of users have decreased the number of visits to the GP/practice nurse due to a

better understanding of their condition and adoption of self help techniques/coping

strategies.

• Three fifths of the users reported having sought help from a GP or other healthcare

professionals and one quarter have increased their visits to their GP/Practice nurse as a

result of NHS Choices – suggesting earlier diagnosis/intervention

• Overall 63% of users reported to be satisfied or very satisfied with NHS Choices for

helping improve or manage their mental health/condition

• A high number of users reported they are more aware/informed of mental health and are

contemplating change to better manage their mental wellbeing/condition

• It is clear from our web analytics reports that NHS Choices gets only a relatively small

share of the internet traffic. Promotion of the mental health content of the site would

mean a greater number of the population would have access to our valuable content

• Overall the elements of content used by survey participants were given good

usefulness ratings with the written information on mental health conditions and

treatments highest rating by a big margin


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Benefits of using NHS Choices amongst site users wanting to improve their mental health

Health & Medicine

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