title: Survey of antipsychotic medication curriculum content in Australian university nursing programmes.
abstract: Antipsychotic medication has long been one of the first-line interventions for people with serious mental illness, with outcomes including reductions in symptoms and relapse rates. More recently, however, questions have been raised about the efficacy of antipsychotic medications, especially in light of their side-effect profile. Such questions have implications for the nurses administering antipsychotic medications, particularly in relation to their knowledge of the antipsychotic medication, its efficacy, and side-effect profile. Also important is the education of nursing students about antipsychotic medications, their use, and management. The present study reports findings of research that explored current curriculum content concerning psychopharmacological treatment in Australian undergraduate and postgraduate nursing programmes. Using a survey design, the research examined the content and modes of delivery of this content to gauge how well students are prepared for administering antipsychotic medication to people with serious mental illness. Findings of the research suggested the need for improvement in preparing nursing students to administer antipsychotic medication, including indications, contraindications, as well as recognition and management of side-effects.
authors.affiliation: School of Health Professions, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Morrison
authors.affiliation: School of Health Professions, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Norman J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Stomski
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Central Queensland University, Noosaville, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McAllister
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Dianne
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wynaden
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Midwifery and Indigenous Health, Charles Sturt University, Albury, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hungerford
authors.affiliation: School of Health, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Usher
authors.affiliation: School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Phil
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Maude
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Midwifery and Indigenous Health, Charles Sturt University, Albury, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Crowther
authors.affiliation: School of Health Professions, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Batterbee
mesh_terms: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001315:Australia; D003479:Curriculum; D004506:Education, Nursing / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D012579:Schools, Nursing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents
keywords: antipsychotic medication; curriculum; mental health; nursing; survey