Full access
Professional News
Published Online: 19 July 2002

NMHA Hopes Communication Toolkit Will Boost Treatment Adherence

Publication: Psychiatric News
Volume 37, Number 14
https://doi.org/10.1176/pn.37.14.0009a
In May the National Mental Health Association (NMHA) launched its “Dialogue for Recovery” program, aimed at educating patients, psychiatrists, and mental health professionals on how to communicate more effectively.
The program includes a video, a new tool called the Antipsychotic Side-Effects Checklist (ASC), fact sheets on schizophrenia, and informational sheets for both patients and their families.
The “reminder card” in the Dialogue for Recovery kit from the National Mental Health Association gives tips to patients on how to make the most of their time with the physician.
In addition, the packet includes a physician brochure to accompany the ASC and a wallet card for patients with helpful hints on how to discuss their illness and medications with their doctors.
“Millions of Americans live with serious mental illnesses, but recent medical advances and improved community-support programs allow most to recover and lead productive lives in their communities,” NMHA CEO Michael Faenza said in a press release detailing the project. “Unfortunately, side effects caused by antipsychotic medications can be a major impetus for patients to discontinue their treatment, which ultimately hinders their recovery.”
In some studies, researchers have estimated that anywhere from 50 percent to 75 percent of patients with severe and persistent psychiatric illness, such as schizophrenia, stop taking their medications at some point during the course of their illness. The reason, studies indicate, is because of medication side effects.
The ASC takes the patient or their family member through a series of 17 questions designed to elicit communication with the physician about the patient’s illness and prognosis and how well he or she is tolerating medication.
The video presents the stories of six patients who have “learned to maintain a dialogue for recovery.” Despite their serious mental illness, they have overcome many obstacles, including the struggle with medication side effects, and are leading productive lives.
“Dialogue for Recovery” and the ASC tool, Faenza noted, “will help consumers of mental health services work together with their entire health care team to determine their best treatment plan, so they can recover faster and lead fuller lives.”
“Dialogue for Recovery,” supported by an unrestricted educational grant from AstraZeneca, was developed by a steering committee chaired by Peter Weiden, M.D., of SUNY Health Sciences Center in Brooklyn, and Alexander Miller, M.D., of the University of Texas Health Sciences Center in San Antonio.
The program will be distributed through the NMHA’s 340 affiliates and via its Web site at www.nmha.org. ▪

Information & Authors

Information

Published In

Go to Psychiatric News
Psychiatric News
Volume 37 • Number 14 • July 19, 2002
Pages: 9

History

Published online: 19 July 2002
Published in print: July 19, 2002

Notes

New materials from the NMHA should help improve communication between patients and their doctors, particularly concerning medication.

Authors

Metrics & Citations

Metrics

Citations

Export Citations

If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.

For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu.

Format
Citation style
Style
Copy to clipboard
Tips for downloading citations

There are no citations for this item

View Options

View options

Get Access

Login options

Already a subscriber? Access your subscription through your login credentials or your institution for full access to this article.

Personal login Institutional Login Open Athens login

Not a subscriber?

Subscribe Now / Learn More

PsychiatryOnline subscription options offer access to the DSM-5-TR® library, books, journals, CME, and patient resources. This all-in-one virtual library provides psychiatrists and mental health professionals with key resources for diagnosis, treatment, research, and professional development.

Need more help? PsychiatryOnline Customer Service may be reached by emailing [email protected] or by calling 800-368-5777 (in the U.S.) or 703-907-7322 (outside the U.S.).

Media

Figures

Other

Tables

Share

Share

Share article link

Share

×

As described within the American Psychiatric Association (APA)'s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, this website utilizes cookies, including for the purpose of offering an optimal online experience and services tailored to your preferences. Please read the entire Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. By closing this message, browsing this website, continuing the navigation, or otherwise continuing to use the APA's websites, you confirm that you understand and accept the terms of the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, including the utilization of cookies.