Week 3 Discussion Initial Post
Application of Course Knowledge
Discuss how the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner could assist the
client in the creation of a more viable medication management plan.
There is currently an estimated 1% of the global population suffering from
schizophrenia, and unfortunately, nonadherence to the medications they
need is a very common problem for these patients (Cahaya et al., 2022).
According to current practice guidelines, the disabling symptoms of
schizophrenia are best treated with antipsychotic medications as a long-term
maintenance plan, however, nonadherence increases the risk of relapse,
rehospitalization, suicide, violence, and death (Cahaya et al., 2022). Much
effort has been put into studying and designing interventions to improve the
highly prevalent noncompliance problems of schizophrenics and their
necessary antipsychotics. In their sweeping systematic review of these
interventions, researchers analyzed 16 studies which used interventions that
involved family, health professionals (psychiatrists, psychologists nurses, and
pharmacists), SMS texting, and smart electronic reminders and 13 of the
studies showed significant improvements in medication adherence
compared to routine care (Cahaya et al., 2022). Some of the interventions
included a STOPS (Supervised Treatment in Outpatients for Schizophrenia)
program in which participants had a key supervisor who was educated on
the nature of their illness, common misconceptions about treatment, the
importance of adherence for success in treatment, as well as basic skills in
how to administer and supervise the medication (Cahaya et al., 2022). In the
Meds-Help study, a pharmacy-based intervention, included in care were
medication education session, reminders, and notification when the patient
fails to fill their medication within 7-10 days of the fill date (Cahaya et al.,
2022). The study used collaborative care with pharmacists and psychiatrists
working together as a team to improve nonadherence (Cahaya et al., 2022).
The LEAN (Lay Health supporters, E-Platform, Award, and integration) study
involved recruitment of lay health supports; an electronic platform with
mobile texting/ SMS for medication reminders, health, education, and
monitoring; the awarding of token gifts for positive behavioral improvement;
and integration of texting with the health system (Cahaya et al., 2022). The
use of a smart pill container or electronic pill dispensing device such as a
Med-eMonitor (MM) in the patient’s home, helps remind patients to take
medication, provides warnings in the case of the wrong medication, records
side effects experienced by patients, and follows up via telephone if the
patient does not adhere (Cahaya et al., 2022). In my personal opinion, the
