A comparison of clinician and patient concerns about antipsychotic side effects: a pilot study.
Antipsychotic medications are associated with a variety of side effects, including tardive dyskinesia, weight gain, new-onset diabetes, cognitive slowing, and akathisia. In this pilot study, 20 psychiatric inpatients taking antipsychotics, 15 psychiatric nurses, and 31 psychiatrists ranked the aversiveness of these five potential side effects. Psychiatrists, nurses, and patients had similar concerns about these side effects. However, patients ranked cognitive slowing as more aversive than did mental health clinicians, while nurses rated weight gain as more aversive than did patients or psychiatrists. Larger studies are needed to further investigate these findings.
Huffman
Jeff C
JC
Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA. jhuffman@partners.org
Blais
Mark A
MA
Pirl
William F
WF
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents