Abstract
Background
Medication self-management (MSM) is considered an important aspect of pharmacotherapy and plays an essential role in the treatment of various illnesses. To date, research into the willingness and attitude of psychiatric healthcare providers towards MSM in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia or bipolar disorders during hospitalisation is lacking.
Aim
The aim of this study was to identify healthcare providers’ willingness to MSM and assess their attitude, conditions, benefits, and ability towards it during hospitalisation.
Methods
A multicentre, quantitative cross-sectional observational design was used to study psychiatric healthcare providers’ attitude to MSM during hospitalisation in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia or bipolar disorders.
Results
In this study, 173 healthcare providers, of which 147 were nurses and 26 psychiatrists, participated. During hospitalisation, 86% of the healthcare providers were willing to MSM. Regularly evaluating patients’ ability, regarding MSM during hospitalisation was seen as an important condition (94%). Psychiatrists were significantly less convinced that MSM during hospitalisation has a positive impact on adherence when compared to nurses (respectively 54% vs 77%, p = .009).
Discussion
Most healthcare providers indicated that they were willing to MSM in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia or bipolar disorders during hospitalisation under specific conditions.