Psychiatric nurses versus psychiatrists and pharmacists 'knowledge on polypharmacy practices in psychiatry: An interprofessional mixed-methods exploration.
Providers with more polypharmacy knowledge held more favorable attitudes toward it
Psychiatric nurses versus psychiatrists and pharmacists 'knowledge on polypharmacy practices in psychiatry: An interprofessional mixed-methods exploration.
Polypharmacy is often crucial for managing complex and treatment-resistant psychiatric disorders, yet it carries risks such as adverse drug interactions, medication non-compliance, and suboptimal health outcomes.
This research evaluates healthcare providers' knowledge and attitudes regarding psychiatric polypharmacy, comparing the views of psychiatric nurses, psychiatrists, and pharmacists.
A convergent mixed-methods approach was employed at the Erada Complex for Mental Health and Addiction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
more polypharmacy knowledge tracked with more favorable attitudes toward it
Knowledge levels varied among the professionals, with psychiatrists possessing the most comprehensive understanding (84.2 ± 11.0), followed by pharmacists (81.5 ± 10.0) and psychiatric nurses (79.5 ± 9.8).
Attitudes toward polypharmacy also differed, with psychiatrists showing the most favorable views (3.79 ± 0.49), whereas nurses and pharmacists were more cautious due to concerns about adverse effects and medication burden.
Healthcare providers demonstrated varying levels of awareness and attitudes toward psychiatric polypharmacy, shaped by their professional roles and responsibilities.
While psychiatrists were more accepting of polypharmacy, psychiatric nurses expressed concerns about patient burden, and pharmacists prioritized safety considerations.
Enhancing interprofessional collaboration and ongoing education on polypharmacy practices are essential for improving patient outcomes.