Authors :
KDS Sandarenu; KDC Dilhara; PHIN Rupasinghe; TVD Nuwandika; MPKW Abhayasinghe; NFJ Fernando
Volume/Issue :
Volume 6 - 2021, Issue 4 - April
Google Scholar :
http://bitly.ws/9nMw
Scribd :
https://bit.ly/3dNkIAv
Abstract :
Non-adherence to antipsychotic medication is
common in people with mental illnesses forming major
obstacles to long term maintenance of treatment
contributing to high relapse rate. Pharmacists can play a
vital role in improving adherence to medication of this
population. The study aimed to examine whether patient
oriented counseling session (POCS) by the pharmacist can
improve the adherence to medication in people with
schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder (BAD), and
depression. A single-blind, experimental comparative
study was performed at an out-patient mental health
clinic at a hospital in Colombo district, Sri Lanka. 250
participants who met the inclusion criteria were randomly
divided into two groups (125 each). Pre-adherence was
measured for both control and intervention groups using
the modified version of Medication Adherence Rating
Scale (MARS). The intervention group underwent a
POCS on medication which was supported with the Daily
Activity Diary (DAD) over four months of follow up. Then
both groups were reassessed for adherence with MARS.
The DAD scores and pill count ratio were compared with
MARS scores for the intervention group. The intervention
group showed a significant improvement in adherence to
medication (p < 0.05). DAD scores showed a significant
positive relationship with the MARS scores (0.503).
Continuous POCS at out-patient clinics using DAD as a
supportive tool, can improve adherence to medication
among people with Schizophrenia, BAD and Depression.
Keywords :
Adherence to Medication, Schizophrenia, Bipolar Affective Disorder, Depression, Patient Oriented Counseling on Medication.
Non-adherence to antipsychotic medication is
common in people with mental illnesses forming major
obstacles to long term maintenance of treatment
contributing to high relapse rate. Pharmacists can play a
vital role in improving adherence to medication of this
population. The study aimed to examine whether patient
oriented counseling session (POCS) by the pharmacist can
improve the adherence to medication in people with
schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder (BAD), and
depression. A single-blind, experimental comparative
study was performed at an out-patient mental health
clinic at a hospital in Colombo district, Sri Lanka. 250
participants who met the inclusion criteria were randomly
divided into two groups (125 each). Pre-adherence was
measured for both control and intervention groups using
the modified version of Medication Adherence Rating
Scale (MARS). The intervention group underwent a
POCS on medication which was supported with the Daily
Activity Diary (DAD) over four months of follow up. Then
both groups were reassessed for adherence with MARS.
The DAD scores and pill count ratio were compared with
MARS scores for the intervention group. The intervention
group showed a significant improvement in adherence to
medication (p < 0.05). DAD scores showed a significant
positive relationship with the MARS scores (0.503).
Continuous POCS at out-patient clinics using DAD as a
supportive tool, can improve adherence to medication
among people with Schizophrenia, BAD and Depression.
Keywords :
Adherence to Medication, Schizophrenia, Bipolar Affective Disorder, Depression, Patient Oriented Counseling on Medication.
