title: Results of a pilot cluster randomised trial of the use of a Medication Review Tool for people taking antipsychotic medication.
abstract: Government policy encourages increasing involvement of patients in their long-term care. This paper describes the development and pilot evaluation of a 'Medication Review Tool' designed to assist people to participate more effectively in discussions about antipsychotic drug treatment.
  
  
  
  The Medication Review Tool developed consisted of a form to help patients identify pros and cons of their current antipsychotic treatment and any desired changes. It was associated with a website containing information and links about antipsychotics. For the trial, participants diagnosed with psychotic disorders were recruited from community mental health services. Cluster randomisation was used to allocate health professionals (care co-ordinators) and their associated patients to use of the Medication Review Tool or usual care. All participants had a medical consultation scheduled, and those in the intervention group completed the Medication Review Tool, with the help of their health professional prior to this, and took the completed Form into the consultation. Two follow-up interviews were conducted up to three months after the consultation. The principal outcome was the Decision Self Efficacy Scale (DSES). Qualitative feedback was collected from patients in the intervention group.
  
  
  
  One hundred and thirty patients were screened, sixty patients were randomised, 51 completed the first follow-up assessment and 49 completed the second. Many patients were not randomised due to the timing of their consultation, and involvement of health professionals was inconsistent. There was no difference between the groups on the DSES (-4.16 95 % CI -9.81, 1.49), symptoms, side effects, antipsychotic doses or patient satisfaction. Scores on the Medication Adherence Questionnaire indicated an increase in participants' reported inclination to adherence in the intervention group (coefficient adjusted for baseline values -0.44; 95 % CI -0.76, -0.11), and there was a small increase in positive attitudes to antipsychotic medication (Drug Attitude Inventory, adjusted coefficient 1.65; 95 % CI -0.09, 3.40). Qualitative feedback indicated patients valued the Tool for identifying both positive and negative aspects of drug treatment.
  
  
  
  The trial demonstrated the design was feasible, although challenges included service re-configurations and maintaining health professional involvement. Results may indicate a more intensive and sustained intervention is required to facilitate participation in decision-making for this group of patients.
  
  
  
  Current controlled trials ISRCTN12055530 , Retrospectively registered 9/12/2013.
authors.affiliation: Division of Psychiatry, University College London, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London, W1T 7NF, UK. j.moncrieff@ucl.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Moncrieff
authors.affiliation: North East London Foundation Trust, Research & Development Department, Goodmayes Hospital, Barley Lane, Ilford, Essex, IG3 8XJ, UK.
authors.forename: Kiran
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Azam
authors.affiliation: Division of Psychiatry, University College London, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London, W1T 7NF, UK.
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.affiliation: Department of Primary Care and Population Health and Priment Clinical Trials Unit, University College London, Rowland Hill Street, London, NE3 2PF, UK.
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Marston
authors.affiliation: Division of Psychiatry, University College London, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London, W1T 7NF, UK.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Morant
authors.affiliation: Mind, 15-19 Broadway, Stratford, London, E15 4BQ, UK.
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Darton
authors.affiliation: Goodmayes Hospital, Barley Lane, Ilford, Essex, IG3 8XJ, UK.
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wood
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D063046:Patient Medication Knowledge / Q000379:methods*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents
keywords: Antipsychotic drugs; Decision-making; Long-term treatment; Patient participation; Schizophrenia