Hostname: page-component-7c8c6479df-5xszh Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-03-28T20:14:07.575Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

How we can enhance treatment adherence? Perspective of patients and clinicians

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 March 2020

A. Cardoso*
Affiliation:
Faculty of medical sciences, mental health, Lisbon, Portugal
P. Aguiar
Affiliation:
National school of public health, public health, Lisbon, Portugal
M. Byrne
Affiliation:
University of Wollongong, psychology, Wollongong, Australia
M. Xavier
Affiliation:
Nova medical school, mental health, Lisbon, Portugal
*
*Corresponding author.

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.
Introduction

Non-adherence to antipsychotic medication is commonly found in mental health disorders (MHD), thus forming a major obstacle to long-term maintenance treatment and contributing to high relapse rates and also can influence the attitudes and beliefs of mental health professionals (MHP).

Objectives

–assess the beliefs of MHP;

–assess perception of illness in patients with MHD.

Aims

Contribute to treatment adherence of patients with MHD, through developing adequate strategies to their needs.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, we use a convenience sample of patients with MHD attending in the mental health departments of three general hospitals in Lisbon great area. Data is being collected through individual interviews. We have applied clinical and socio-demographic questionnaire and additional measures to assess symptom severity, treatment adherence and attitudes towards medication. For MHP, we used a optimism scale (ETOS), Difficulty Implementing Adherence Strategies (DIAS); Medication Alliance Beliefs Questionnaire (MABQ).

Results

Two convenience samples were composed by 150 patients with MHD (mean age: 39.7; SD ± 9.8) and 65 MHP (mean age: 37.0; sd 8.3) working in a variety of settings is being collected. From the perspective of patients, the most important reason for adherence is to accept the illness (54,7%, n = 82). 50.8% (n = 33) of MHP believes that if patients are unmotivated for treatment, adherence strategies are unlikely to be effective. 43.1 (n = 28) of MHP agrees that if patients do not accept their illness, any adherence strategies that result.

Conclusion

With this study, we expect to gain further knowledge on the factors related patients and MHP that might influence compliance and, therefore, contribute to the development of effective strategies to promote treatment adherence in MHD.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Type
EW469
Copyright
Copyright © European Psychiatric Association 2014
Submit a response

Comments

No Comments have been published for this article.