Revising a medication education program on an inpatient child and adolescent psychiatric unit.

Abstract

Adherence to a medication regimen can be challenging for children and adolescents with mental health disorders. Medication education can be a beneficial tool for nurses to help promote adherence to psychotropic medications. This article describes an initiative to improve medication education offered to children and adolescents and their families on an acute child and adolescent inpatient unit in a mental health facility. Strategies included adding a game to medication education groups, creating and distributing medication education handouts, and developing and implementing medication education sessions for parents. When used by the patients and families, the interventions were appreciated. Having successful interventions in place may help meet the diverse educational needs of this population as nurses seek to improve medication adherence.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2012

Publication Title

Journal of psychosocial nursing and mental health services

First Page

42

Last Page

47

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