The subjective experiences of people who regularly receive depot neuroleptic medication in the community

Abstract

Little has been written on the subjective experiences of people who receive depot injections in the community. The authors of this paper have identified distinct gaps in the literature in terms of the views of service users regarding this particular intervention. Existing studies tend to focus upon the side effects of depot neuroleptic medication and the attitudes of Community Mental Health Nurses (CMHNs) towards administering depot medication and issues of compliance and non-compliance. Mental health nurses are frequently perceived as adhering solely to a biomedical approach to patient care in their practice and the therapeutic aspects of their role is frequently unacknowledged. This paper explores how, within the process of giving a depot injection, CMHNs are able to carry out an assessment of their client's needs as well as being someone who is consistent, reliable and supportive. This means that the process of giving a depot injection may be considered as a therapeutic intervention. Qualitative data were obtained through the administration of a semi-structured interview schedule that was constructed and consisted of a range of questions that elicited service users views and opinions related to their experiences of receiving depot neuroleptic medication in the community. The relationship between patient and nurse, as this study reveals, was one that was not only therapeutic, but also provided a forum where psychosocial and clinical issues could be discussed and explored. Crucially, the service users felt they did have a role and an influence in the delivery of their care.

The 5-As Framework for Including Sexual Concerns in Mental Health Nursing Practice

“…Consumers are willing and able to discuss their sexual health concerns (McCann, 2010), and there is an identified need for mental health nurses to facilitate communication about the sexual health concerns of consumers (Phillips & McCann, 2007). However, little progress has been made in meeting such needs of consumers (Higgins, Barker, & Begley, 2008;Wright & Pugnaire-Gros, 2010).…”

The use of long-acting injectable antipsychotic medication

“…Several studies have demonstrated that LAIs are welcomed by patients or even preferred (Walburn et al 2001, Phillips and McCann 2007, Iyer et al 2013, Das et al 2014) with at least one study suggesting an unfavourable view (Patel et al 2010). In situations where patients express an unfavourable view of LAIs, this may be because they have not been fully informed of LAIs as a treatment option.…”

“…A previous explorative study found that during the process of giving a depot injection, Community Mental Health Nurses (CMHN) are not only able to give the injection, but be able to carry out an assessment as well as being someone who is dependable, and supportive (Phillips and McCann 2007). Despite the advantages of depot antipsychotics, these formulations remain underutilised in many countries including the UK.…”

The Use of Mixed Methods in Drug Discovery

“…Qualitative methodologies have also been used to gain insight into the subjective experience of participants using study therapies (Chalmers et al, 2007;Phillips & McCann, 2007), as well as their lived experience of the disorders themselves (Mason, Rice & Records, 2005;Michalak et al, 2012). Qualitative methodologies lend themselves in particular to the exploration of patients' subjective experiences, including adherence and acceptance of therapies (Hansen, Tulinius & Hansen, 2007;Verbeek-Heida & Mathot, 2006;Vervoort et al, 2007).…”