A comparison of patients' and prescribers' beliefs about neuroleptic side-effects: prevalence, distress and causation.
Neuroleptic side-effects adversely affect clinical outcome in schizophrenic patients. Clinicians therefore require an understanding of the impact of such side-effects. This study compared psychiatrists' estimates of the prevalence of neuroleptic side-effects and associated distress with schizophrenic patients' reports of side-effects and distress. Psychiatrists were asked to estimate the likelihood of informing patients about side-effects. Psychiatrists' estimates of prevalence but not of distress correlated significantly with patients' reports. Psychiatrists' avowed decisions to inform patients about side-effects were significantly correlated with their estimates of prevalence and distress, but not with patients' reported levels of distress. Patients were unlikely to attribute side-effects to neuroleptic medication. These results indicate that patients and psychiatrists share similar views about the prevalence and implications of neuroleptic side-effects. However, psychiatrists' apparent lack of understanding of which side-effects are most likely to cause distress to patients may adversely affect the therapeutic alliance between prescribers and consumers.
Day
J C
JC
Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Liverpool, UK.
Kinderman
P
P
Bentall
R
R
D000328:Adult; D016907:Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems; D000368:Aged; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D015984:Causality; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004409:Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000187:drug effects; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents