Virtual nurse support to enhance antipsychotic adherence in schizophrenia: A South African perspective
Background: Patients with schizophrenia rely on antipsychotic medication, with adherence being critical for symptom management. Poor adherence leads to relapse, disability and increased healthcare costs. Aim: This study investigated the impact on antipsychotic adherence among schizophrenia patients...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
AOSIS
2025-05-01
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| Series: | South African Journal of Psychiatry |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://sajp.org.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/2430 |
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| Summary: | Background: Patients with schizophrenia rely on antipsychotic medication, with adherence being critical for symptom management. Poor adherence leads to relapse, disability and increased healthcare costs.
Aim: This study investigated the impact on antipsychotic adherence among schizophrenia patients on the introduction of an intervention utilising a psychiatric nurse as a virtual treatment buddy.
Setting: Participants were recruited from a psychiatric clinic in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Methods: This quantitative pre-test-post-test control group study recruited 117 schizophrenia patients. Participants were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 82) receiving daily text message support or a control group (n = 35) without support. Pre- and post-intervention questionnaires assessed medication adherence. The McNemar test compared medication cessation frequencies pre- and post-intervention. Pearson’s chi-squared test, factor analysis and linear regressions were employed to correlate variables. A p 0.05 was deemed statistically significant.
Results: Adherence improved from 60.8% to 83.51% post-intervention (p 0.001). Obstacles to adherence, including inadequate disease knowledge, treatment duration, side effects, misunderstanding instructions and forgetfulness, were reduced post-intervention. Additionally, symptom relapse, rehospitalisation, specialist referrals, the need for more potent medication and employment loss decreased post-intervention.
Conclusion: Virtual buddy support has demonstrated promise in improving medication adherence and minimising adverse effects of discontinuation among schizophrenia patients.
Contribution: This study contributes a method to improving antipsychotic adherence and reducing negative outcomes in schizophrenia patients by emphasising personalised support, education and collaborative care among healthcare providers and support systems. |
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| ISSN: | 1608-9685 2078-6786 |