Shared decision making for psychiatric medication management: a summary of its uptake, barriers and facilitators.

The model of shared decision making with mental health patients and clinicians (doctors and pharmacists) harnesses the benefits of patients becoming partners in their own recovery through improved communication and greater self-advocacy. Shared decision making in mental health services is an emerging model of care which has not been well investigated, however it is seen as the way forward to achieving improved health outcomes for non-pharmacological and pharmacological therapy. Successful implementation of this model requires supporting the process through provision of information and training, use of decision aids, coaching in communication skills and inclusion of family and carers in the decision making process.

Development of the My Medicines and Me (M3Q) side effect questionnaire for mental health patients: a qualitative study.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the acceptability, content validity and usability of the My Medicines and Me (M3Q) self-report side effect questionnaire.

Methods: Eight focus groups consisting of mental health patients, carers, general practitioners, psychiatrists, mental health nurses and pharmacists were conducted, involving 78 participants. Two researchers independently examined the transcriptions and analysed the data thematically using an inductive method.

Construction and validation of the My Medicines and Me Questionnaire for assessment of the self-reported side effects of psychotropic medication.

We aimed to construct and assess the psychometric properties of the My Medicines and Me Questionnaire (M3Q), a self-report side-effect questionnaire for mental health patients. Thirty individuals taking a psychotropic medication completed the M3Q side-effect checklist along with the Liverpool University Neuroleptic Side Effect Rating Scale. Thirty healthy comparison individuals also completed the M3Q checklist.