Grant: Doctoral Award - Frederick Banting and Charles Best Canada Graduate Scholarships

Information materials or aids facilitate shared-decision making between persons with health issues and health service providers. A variety of information aids that assist with treatment decision-making are available in general health care. However, there are few available that address mental health problems such as anxiety disorders, which are a very common problem. The development and improvement of information materials focused on the information needs of the public is one way of improving knowledge and participation in important health care choices. This project will explore two important research questions: First, what information do people typically receive when they are considering treatment options for anxiety disorders and how do they receive this information? Second, how do persons with anxiety disorders and members of the public evaluate an information aid focused on treatment for anxiety? These evaluations will be used to revise and strengthen this information aid. Limited information about anxiety treatment options may limit one's involvement in making treatment decisions. Gaining an understanding of the information that is currently available and how it is accessed, and developing better resources to meet the information needs of the public will improve one's involvement in making treatment decisions, by increasing their knowledge.