Financial incentives to improve adherence to medication in five patients with schizophrenia in the Netherlands.
OBJECTIVE
Non-adherence to antipsychotic medication is common and increases the risk of psychotic relapse. A promising intervention may be a strategy wherein financial incentives are offered.


METHODS
In a pilot study in The Netherlands, five patients with schizophrenia were offered financial incentives for a duration of one year to improve adherence to medication. Adherence and hospital days were measured.


RESULTS
The percentage of accepted depot injections increased from an average of 44% in the previous year to 100% in the year when financial incentives were offered. While patients had been hospitalised for an average of 100.2 days in the previous year, only one was re-admitted for 17 days during the year of the intervention.


CONCLUSIONS
The differences in adherence before and after the intervention were large and of clinical significance. However, randomised controlled trials are required to provide conclusive evidence on the effectiveness of offering financial incentives and potential consequences.
Staring
Anton B P
AB
Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. tonnie@backwash.org
Mulder
C L
CL
Priebe
S
S
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D007267:Injections; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D009042:Motivation; D009426:Netherlands; D010359:Patient Readmission; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012201:Reward; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations