Patient Education in the Drug Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders

Abstract

Both drug therapy and psychosocial interventions have been shown to be effective treatments for psychiatric disorders. However, noncompliance with treatment regimens is a serious problem, and results in significant economic and psychosocial costs to the individual and society. Noncompliance can be caused by a number of factors, but can be positively affected by clinician-patient interactions and the patients’ knowledge of and readiness to undergo treatment. Patient preparedness in the form of education about treatment, in general, and medication, in particular, is likely to be associated with improved adherence to treatment, psychological well-being and quality of life.