Attitudes of patients and family members towards implantable psychiatric medication

Schizophr Res. 2008 Oct;105(1-3):279-86. doi: 10.1016/j.schres.2008.05.008. Epub 2008 Jun 20.

Abstract

Introduction: Medication is a necessary part of treatment for severe psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia and nonadherence to prescribed medication is one of the most important public health issues in psychiatry today. The devastating consequences of nonadherence have motivated the development of novel therapeutic strategies, including a new long-term implantable medication delivery system.

Methods: The current study assesses attitudes towards implantable medication in psychiatric patients and their family members. Patients included in the study had diagnoses of Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder, Mood or Anxiety related disorders.

Results: 49.62% of patients and 74.47% of family members endorse support for implantable medication.

Conclusions: This study demonstrates that implants may be an acceptable alternative to oral and injectable medication for a subset of psychiatric patients and their families.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Attitude to Health*
  • Clozapine / administration & dosage
  • Clozapine / therapeutic use
  • Cross-Cultural Comparison
  • Data Collection / statistics & numerical data
  • Drug Implants / administration & dosage
  • Drug Implants / therapeutic use*
  • Family / psychology*
  • Female
  • Haloperidol / administration & dosage
  • Haloperidol / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Mental Disorders / psychology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Mood Disorders / drug therapy
  • Mood Disorders / psychology
  • Patient Compliance
  • Psychotic Disorders / drug therapy
  • Psychotic Disorders / psychology
  • Psychotropic Drugs / administration & dosage
  • Psychotropic Drugs / therapeutic use*
  • Schizophrenia / diagnosis
  • Schizophrenia / drug therapy
  • Schizophrenic Psychology
  • Treatment Outcome
  • United States

Substances

  • Drug Implants
  • Psychotropic Drugs
  • Clozapine
  • Haloperidol