Other Titles

Patient education and treatment modalities

Abstract

Non-adherence to treatment is a common problem in many chronic disorders with higher rates among clients with mental disorders. Non-adherence to treatment greatly compromises the effectiveness of psychiatric treatment and is associated with higher rates of relapse, hospitalization, and increased health care costs. Hildegard Peplau's theory of the nurse-client relationship and Ludwig von Bertalanffy's general system theory provide a model for intervening to increase adherence. The study was conducted over a 90 day period in the outpatient service of a for-profit psychiatric hospital. The intervention involved communication between office visits by an advanced practice nurse who contacted clients via phone or email. Thirteen adult clients between the ages of 21 and 59 agreed to participate (four males and seven females). Patients' diagnoses included bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and post traumatic stress disorder. All of the participants were new to the clinic and had a history of inconsistent compliance with medications. Clients were asked to keep a daily log of psychotropic medications taken. They were considered as meeting the goal of adherence when taking the medication 75% of the time. Their attendance to psychiatric appointments was also recorded. Chi-Square tests indicated that APRN communication was significantly associated with consistent adherence to medications (?2 (1, N = 13) = 13.00, p < .001) and to psychiatric appointments (?2 (1, N = 13) = 13.00, p < .001). These results support the use of an evidence based intervention to enhance adherence to psychiatric treatment. Recommendations for further study include recruiting the psychiatric providers to provide the intervention and conducting a cost effectiveness analysis.

Author Details

Valerie N. Markley, DNP, MSN, BSN

Sigma Membership

Alpha

Type

Presentation

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

N/A

Research Approach

N/A

Keywords:

Adherence, Treatment, Mental Illness

Conference Name

25th International Nursing Research Congress

Conference Host

Sigma Theta Tau International

Conference Location

Hong Kong

Conference Year

2014

Rights Holder

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Review Type

Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host

Acquisition

Proxy-submission

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Enhancing adherence to treatment for clients with serious mental illness

Hong Kong

Non-adherence to treatment is a common problem in many chronic disorders with higher rates among clients with mental disorders. Non-adherence to treatment greatly compromises the effectiveness of psychiatric treatment and is associated with higher rates of relapse, hospitalization, and increased health care costs. Hildegard Peplau's theory of the nurse-client relationship and Ludwig von Bertalanffy's general system theory provide a model for intervening to increase adherence. The study was conducted over a 90 day period in the outpatient service of a for-profit psychiatric hospital. The intervention involved communication between office visits by an advanced practice nurse who contacted clients via phone or email. Thirteen adult clients between the ages of 21 and 59 agreed to participate (four males and seven females). Patients' diagnoses included bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and post traumatic stress disorder. All of the participants were new to the clinic and had a history of inconsistent compliance with medications. Clients were asked to keep a daily log of psychotropic medications taken. They were considered as meeting the goal of adherence when taking the medication 75% of the time. Their attendance to psychiatric appointments was also recorded. Chi-Square tests indicated that APRN communication was significantly associated with consistent adherence to medications (?2 (1, N = 13) = 13.00, p < .001) and to psychiatric appointments (?2 (1, N = 13) = 13.00, p < .001). These results support the use of an evidence based intervention to enhance adherence to psychiatric treatment. Recommendations for further study include recruiting the psychiatric providers to provide the intervention and conducting a cost effectiveness analysis.