An Intervention to Increase Medication Adherence in Patients with Mental Illness

Abstract

Purpose: This quality improvement project aimed to assess the efficacy of an educational intervention in enhancing patients' comprehension regarding their prescribed medications and to ascertain if this understanding varied based on the timing of patient engagement (initial or follow-up appointment). Background: Patient non-adherence to medication often stems from a need for more understanding regarding the purpose and correct usage of prescribed drugs. A comprehensive grasp of medication regimens has the potential to improve patient adherence, leading to better health outcomes and decreased healthcare costs. Methods: Participants were provided with educational materials detailing their medications' nature, purpose, and usage. Feedback was obtained via JotForm to determine levels of understanding post-intervention. Participants were divided into two groups based on their appointment type, and their responses were analyzed using Fisher's Exact Test. Results: Out of 13 participants, 10 reported that they “fully understood” their medication post- intervention, with six of these from the follow-up group and four from the initial group. Conversely, only three participants claimed to “somewhat understand” their medications, with two from the initial and one from the follow-up group. The Fisher exact test statistic value was 0.5594, indicating no significant difference in understanding levels between the two groups at p < .05. Conclusions: While the educational intervention shows promise in elevating patients' understanding of their medication regimen, no significant variance was observed regarding the types of appointments. The project emphasizes the potential benefits of patient education and serves as a foundation for future interventions to improve patient comprehension and medication adherence regardless of appointment type.