Medication adherence in schizophrenia : Exploring patients', carers' and professionals' views

• Published in: Schizophrenia bulletin Vol. 32; no. 4; pp. 786 - 794
• Main Authors: KIKKERT, Martijn J, SCHENE, Aart H, KOETER, Maarten W. J, ROBSON, Debbie, BORN, Anja, HELM, Hedda, NOSE, Michela, GOSS, Claudia, THORNICROFT, Graham, GRAY, Richard J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Oxford University Press 01.10.2006; Oxford Publishing Limited (England)
• Subjects: Adult; Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Antipsychotic Agents - administration & dosage; Antipsychotic Agents - adverse effects; Attitude; Attitude of Health Personnel; Awareness; Biological and medical sciences; Caregivers - psychology; Concept Formation; Europe; Female; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Patient Education as Topic; Physician-Patient Relations; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Psychoses; Psychotherapy; Qualitative research; Quality of Life - psychology; Regular; Schizophrenia; Schizophrenia - diagnosis; Schizophrenia - drug therapy; Schizophrenic Psychology; Treatment Outcome; Treatment Refusal - psychology; Europe; Psychosis; Human; Drug compliance; Cartography; Chemotherapy; Treatment; medication adherence/schizophrenia/ concept mapping; Caregiver; Schizophrenia
• ISSN: 0586-7614; 1745-1701
• DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbl011

One of the major clinical problems in the treatment of people with schizophrenia is suboptimal medication adherence. Most research focusing on determinants of nonadherence use quantitative research methods. These studies have some important limitations in exploring the decision-making process of patients concerning medication. In this study we explore factors influencing medication adherence behavior in people with schizophrenia using concept mapping. Concept mapping is a structured qualitative method and was performed in 4 European countries. Participants were 27 patients with schizophrenia, 29 carers, and 28 professionals of patients with schizophrenia. Five clinically relevant themes were identified that affect adherence: medication efficacy, external factors (such as patient support and therapeutic alliance), insight, side effects, and attitudes toward medication. Importance ratings of these factors differed significantly between professionals and carers and patients. Professionals, carers, and patients do not have a shared understanding of which factors are important in patients' medication adherence behavior. Adherence may be positively influenced if professionals focus on the positive aspects of medication, on enhancing insight, and on fostering a positive therapeutic relationship with patients and carers.