Medication Groups for Continuing Care

An outpatient clinic in a community setting is using medication groups to monitor and improve the effectiveness of psychotropic drugs administered to chronic patients with strong dependency needs. A third-year psychiatric resident leads the groups, assisted by a staff nurse. An intake team selects patients and sets up attendance schedules. During the meeting the resident checks with each patient about his medication and makes any adjustments necessary; the group members then discuss problems in daily living.