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Abstract
Introduction: The NICE technology appraisal for atypical antipsychotics in patients with schizophrenia recommends that prescribers and patients should make the choice of antipsychotic drug jointly. In order to make an informed choice, patients must feel that they have been given sufficient information. The aim of this study was to survey patients' perceptions of the information they had been given about their medication and whether they felt that they had been given a choice with respect to the medication they received.
Methods: We approached 100 outpatients with a known diagnosis of schizophrenia who attended one of three clinics in Oxleas NHS trust. Questions were asked about the information they had received about their medication and whether they felt that they had been given a choice. Patient demographic details were also collected.
Results: Eighty-four patients consented to be interviewed. Fifty-four (64%) were happy with the medication prescribed for them but 47 (56%) felt that they had not received enough information about their medication. Twenty (24%) of these patients were not concerned as they felt happy to trust their doctor. There was a trend towards patients prescribed typical antipsychotics being more likely to have unmet information needs (p = .062). Those prescribed atypicals were more likely to have participated in agreeing a relapse plan (p = .016). Information needs varied widely.
Discussion: Patients perceive the information they receive about antipsychotic drugs as being suboptimal. Without information, true informed choice is impossible. It is difficult to see how the information needs of all patients can be met without patients and carers taking a more active role in questioning prescribers. Written copies of standard questions could be made available as prompts to facilitate this process.
Declaration of interest: None.