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.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 279-286 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Schizophrenia Research |
Volume | 105 |
Issue number | 1-3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2008 Oct |
Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:Funding for this study was provided by the Stanley Medical Research Institute Grant RCG 01-314. The Stanley Medical Research Institute had no further role in study design; in the collection, analysis and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; and in the decision to submit the paper for publication.
Funding Information:
All procedures and surveys were approved by IRBs at all sites. Patient inclusion criterion was a diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, mood or anxiety ( Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 2000 ). Family members of individuals with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, mood or anxiety disorders were included in the family survey. Patients were recruited at the University of Pennsylvania, educational conferences and collaborators from 27 sites in 19 countries. Neither patients nor investigators received financial support or incentives to participate. Family survey venues included The University of Pennsylvania, educational conferences and NAMI Family-to-Family classes ( Table 1 ) ( Dixon et al., 2001 ). Neither respondents nor Family-to-Family facilitators received financial support to participate. A standard protocol for distributing surveys was followed including an explanation of the technology. The survey was anonymous to protect respondent privacy and promote candid responses.
Keywords
- Adherence
- Attitude
- Drug implant
- Family
- Medication
- Psychiatry
- Schizophrenia
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Psychiatry and Mental health
- Biological Psychiatry