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Psychosis patients' knowledge, adherence and attitudes towards the naming of antipsychotic medication in H ong K ong
Author(s) -
Lau Karen ChiKwan,
Lee Edwin HoMing,
Hui Christy LaiMing,
Chang WingChung,
Chan Sherry KitWa,
Chen Eric YuHai
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
early intervention in psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.087
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1751-7893
pISSN - 1751-7885
DOI - 10.1111/eip.12169
Subject(s) - antipsychotic , psychosis , psychiatry , medical prescription , medicine , drug , schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , antipsychotic drug , medication adherence , pharmacology
Abstract Aim Non‐adherence to medication is a common and significant challenge to successful treatment of psychosis. Knowledge of prescribed antipsychotic medication may influence psychosis patients' willingness to adhere to prescriptions. This study aimed to assess knowledge of psychosis patients on their prescribed antipsychotic medication with regard to drug name, type, dosage, purpose, side effects and reasons for taking medication, so as to investigate the associations between knowledge and adherence. The study also aimed to evaluate patient attitudes towards the current C hinese name of ‘anti‐psyche drug’ for antipsychotic medication in H ong K ong, and survey patients' opinions on alternative names for antipsychotic medication. Methods A questionnaire was administered to 70 consecutive patients from the psychiatric ward and outpatient clinic at Q ueen M ary H ospital in H ong K ong. Results Current knowledge of H ong K ong psychosis patients falls short in areas of drug name (51.4% unaware), drug type (40% unaware) and prescribed dosage (28.6% unaware). The rate of self‐reported non‐adherence in the study sample was 38.6%. Adherence to medication was found to be positively associated with knowledge of purpose for taking medication. The current Chinese name ‘anti‐psyche drug’ had a rating of 47/100 among psychosis patients. Conclusion Measures should be taken to improve patient knowledge in areas of drug name, type and prescribed dosage. Reminding patients about the purpose of medication may also benefit adherence and overall treatment. Finally, because of the possible stigma of the current name of antipsychotic medication, an alternative term may be more favourable in promoting its acceptance in H ong K ong.