Effect of nurse-led screening linked brief psycho-education for improving adherence to antipsychotic medications among clients with mental illness: A quasi-experimental study

Background: Despite the significant improvements in pharmacotherapy, nonadherence to antipsychotic medication is consistently reported in the literature. Many studies evaluated the side effects of antipsychotic medications but there is scanty evidence regarding screening linked intervention. Aim: The study investigated the effect of nurse-led screening linked brief psycho-education in improving adherence to antipsychotic medication among treatment-seeking clients with mental illness. Materials and Methods: This study is a quasi-experimental study in which a total of 80 subjects were consecutively recruited as per the sampling criteria. The side effect of antipsychotic medication was measured using the Udvalg for Kliniske Undersøgelser Side Effect Rating Scale (UKU-SERS). A trained nurse delivered a 30-minute individual-based screening linked brief psychoeducation for the management of side effects as per the standard module. The outcome measures were changes in adherence to medication measured as per the medication adherence rating scale (MARS-5©Professor Rob Horne) during a 1-month follow-up. Results: Anxiety (40%), reduced duration of sleep (40%), reduced salivation (36%) were the most common moderate-to-severe side effects as per UKU-SERS. Overall, the study observed a significant improvement of self-reported medication adherence in the intervention group as compared to the control group during the 1-month follow-up (F = 46.49; P < 0.001). Conclusion: The nurse-led screening linked brief psychoeducation may be an effective strategy for improving adherence to antipsychotic medication in this setting. More studies should be conducted in similar settings for an evidence base to advocate the role of the nurse as a brief intervention therapist in the routine mental health care setting.