INFORMATIONAL NEEDS OF PATIENTS HOSPITALIZED FOR BIPOLAR DISORDER

Thirty-three inpatients (20 women and 13 men) with bipolar disorder pa rticipated in audiotaped, semistructured interviews that focused on th eir informational needs in six areas: self-management of the disorder, understanding bipolar disorder, managing daily life, living in societ y, relating to others, and relating to self. The interviews were trans cribed and systematically analyzed to produce a typology of needs, whi ch was evaluated by the interviewees as it evolved. The typology is us eful for structuring psychoeducational programs. The findings attest t o the importance of providing education for persons with bipolar disor der in all health care settings in which they seek treatment.