Objective: To describe the development of, and outcomes from, a medication information programme facilitated by trained mental health clinicians in an area mental health service.
Method: A step-wise programme entailing: (a) a consumer-led project to determine barriers faced by consumers in acquiring information about medication (Medicine Awareness Project:MAP); (b) the introduction of a weekly medication information forum (MIF) in an acute inpatient service; and (c) the development and roll-out of consumer and carer support materials in community settings.
Results: The MAP survey demonstrated that consumers’ knowledge about and access to standard Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) leaflets was poor and that they perceived a number of barriers in obtaining balanced information about their medication. Nearly half of the respondents preferred information about medications presented in both written and verbal form. Participants in the MIF sessions showed an increase in positive attitudes toward their medication following the forums. These findings brought upon the production of a tailored, consumer and carer-focused resource, which has been widely distributed throughout Australia.
Conclusions: A medication information programme can provide opportunities for mental health consumers and their carers to gain knowledge of psychotropic medications. The use of written and verbal formats enhances the transfer of such information.
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