Original Research
Saturday, November 11, 2023
11:30 AM–01:00 PM
Abstract
Introduction:
Pharmacological intervention is an important element in the management of mental health disorders. Not only can it help acute aspects of disease, it also plays a significant role in the maintenance of patients with mental illness [5]. Research shows that between 30% to 50% of patient non-adherence to medication regimens is due to insufficient knowledge about their medications [7]. The aim of this survey-based research is to measure the impact of pharmacological education group intervention on patients’ understanding of their medications, diagnosis, and treatment.
Research Question or Hypothesis:
What is the impact of pharmacological education group intervention on patients’ understanding of their medications, diagnosis, and treatment?
Study Design:
The study utilized a 5-point Likert-scale survey to assess psychiatric patients' understanding of their medications treatment plan before and after attending a pharmacological education group session facilitated by psychiatric pharmacist.
Methods:
The survey was administered immediately prior and immediately after the session. The survey included nine statements that analyzed patient understanding of their diagnosis, medication treatment benefits, and side-effects, necessity of medication, strategy to discuss medication with their physician, and usefulness of the pharmacological education group.
Results:
The results showed that the pharmacological education group intervention had a positive influence on patients’ comprehension of their health condition and their medication treatment plan. Improvement was seen in the understanding of their diagnosis, comprehension of their medication(s), how medications work and their potential side effects, as well as their comprehension of how to effectively communicate with their physician.
Conclusion:
Our research showed that employing pharmacological intervention, via pharmacological education groups, positively impacted patient understanding of their mental health diagnosis and medication treatment plan. Therefore, more research needs to be performed to explore the clinical long-term outcomes of this intervention with the goal of improving medication adherence which a well-known challenge in psychiatry patients.
Presenting Author
Carol Yuan Pharm.DAurora Charter Oak Behavioral Health Care
Authors
Adib Bitar M.D.
Aurora Charter Oak Behavioral Health Care
Gillian Mathews B.S.
College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Western University of Health Sciences
Abbey Frame N.A.
University California Berkeley
Mitchell Frame B.S.
College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Western University of Health Sciences