Psychiatric nursing & medication adherence.
A survey was developed to determine whether the rapidly changing context of mental health care has significantly influenced how psychiatric nurses assess and intervene in issues related to medication adherence. A sample of 126 psychiatric nurses working in Veterans Affairs mental health treatment facilities in northern California, Hawaii, and Nevada identified the most effective methods for tracking medication adherence, as well as successful adherence interventions. Despite the challenge imposed by changing work environments, psychiatric nurses use creative and innovative approaches to improve their patients' medication adherence. Interventions for enhancing patient adherence with prescribed regimens are identified. Essential role dimensions related to medication adherence defined by the nurses in this survey included providing medication education, tracking patient adherence, assessing medication effectiveness, providing individualized, tailored adherence interventions, and collaborating with other health care providers in medication planning. Study findings support using nurses to their full potential and highlight nurses' need for more educational opportunities and consultation with experts (e.g., clinical pharmacists).
Kemppainen
Jeanne K
JK
School of Nursing, University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Wilmington, North Carolina, USA. kemppainenj@uncw.edu
Buffum
Marti
M
Wike
Greg
G
Kestner
Michael
M
Zappe
Carol
C
Hopkins
Roberta
R
Chambers
Kristi Haney
KH
Morrow
Mary
M
Bartlebaugh
Patti
P
D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D011619:Psychotropic Drugs