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Medication‐taking behaviours in young adults with schizophrenia: a pilot study
Author(s) -
LEE H.,
KANE I.,
SEREIKA S. M.,
CHO R. Y.,
JOLLEY C. J.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of psychiatric and mental health nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.69
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1365-2850
pISSN - 1351-0126
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2850.2011.01689.x
Subject(s) - medicine , observational study , schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , psychological intervention , physical therapy , psychiatry
Accessible summary• Subjects who were adherent to medications showed a consistent dosing interval, while those who were not adherent exhibited multiple and sequential irregular medication‐taking behaviours. • Healthcare providers need to develop an effective communication strategy to assess medication adherence, given the fact that individuals with schizophrenia overestimate their medication adherence. • Environmental supports that cue young adults with schizophrenia to take medication as prescribed, such as a pill organizer with an alarm system or self‐monitoring systems, are needed.Abstract The purpose of this prospective and observational study was to explore medication‐taking behaviours in community‐based young adults with schizophrenia using an electronic monitoring system and patient self‐report questionnaires. The Medication Event Monitoring System (MEMS ® ), the Index for Medication Adherence (IMA) and the Brief Evaluation of Medication Influences and Beliefs (BEMIB) measured medication‐taking behaviours. Data were collected at baseline, 4 and 8 weeks. Descriptive statistics were used in analysis. A total of 11 subjects were recruited; one dropped out. Five were male, and five were female. Average age was 32.64 (SD = 5.70) years. Four (40%) were White people; six (60%) were non‐White people. The average number of medications treating schizophrenia was 1.9 (SD = 0.57). MEMS ® identified 71.77% (SD = 30.47) dose adherence and 55.92% (SD = 31.27) day adherence. Most subjects took medications irregularly (early, late or missing). The BEMIB demonstrated that 50%, 20% and 30% of subjects considered themselves to be adherent to their medications at baseline, 4 weeks and 8 weeks, while the IMA reported 90%, 90% and 80% at baseline, 4 weeks and 8 weeks, respectively. Regarding the observed discrepancies between patients' reports and their actual medication‐taking behaviours, clinical implications were discussed. Effective interventions improving medication adherence in schizophrenia are needed for practice and for future studies.