title: A review of self-report medication side effect questionnaires for mental health patients.
abstract: Side effects of psychotropic medications are important determinants of adherence to treatment. Discussion between the patient and clinician facilitated through the use of a side effect self-report questionnaire (SRQ) could lead to improved communications and treatment adherence. The aim of this review was to 1) identify all currently available side effect SRQs used in the assessment of mental health patients' subjective experiences, 2) evaluate the characteristics of the studies and 3) assess the psychometric properties of each of the questionnaires. Eight electronic databases were searched for peer-reviewed published articles. Six side effect SRQs were identified. Two independent reviewers assessed the quality of the study designs and psychometric properties of the identified SRQs. All questionnaires consisted of closed questions relating to antipsychotic side effects and completion times ranged from 5 to 20 min. Five questionnaires had undergone some form of psychometric testing, ranging from basic to comprehensive. There is a need in everyday clinical practice for a side effect communication tool applicable to all psychotropic medications, which allows the patient to express their subjective beliefs about their medications. This could provide an important contribution to the working relationship between patients and clinicians leading to informed decision-making and improved adherence.
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Program, Center for Optimization of Medicines, School of Medicine and Pharmacology, The University of Western Australia, M315, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia. Electronic address: deena.ashoorian@uwa.edu.au.
authors.forename: Deena
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ashoorian
authors.affiliation: North Metropolitan Health Service Mental Health, WA 6016, Australia; School of Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
authors.forename: Rowan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Davidson
authors.affiliation: North Metropolitan Health Service Mental Health, WA 6016, Australia; School of Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia; School of Population Health, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rock
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Program, Center for Optimization of Medicines, School of Medicine and Pharmacology, The University of Western Australia, M315, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
authors.forename: Sajni
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gudka
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Program, Center for Optimization of Medicines, School of Medicine and Pharmacology, The University of Western Australia, M315, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
authors.forename: Rhonda
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Clifford
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000379:methods*; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D057566:Self Report; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs
keywords: Adverse effect; Antipsychotic; Neuroleptic; Psychotropic; Subjective experience