Increase Adherence to Psychotropic Medication Through Motivational Adherence Therapy: A Quality Improvement Project.

Background: Non-adherence to psychiatric mediations is a nationwide problem for people diagnosed with severe mental illness (SMI). National non-adherence rates for psychotropic medications are estimated to range from 50% to as high as 75%. The project site data is reflective of the national data.

Aims: The aim of this manuscript is to report the impact of Motivational Interviewing Style Adherence Therapy (MISAT) on adherence to psychotropic medication in veterans living with SMI.

Method: Implementation of evidence-based MISAT through a quality improvement project in a Veterans Affairs Mental Health Clinic.

Results: MISAT was found to be clinically significant in improving adherence to psychotropic medication. Average refill history for participants increased from 82% to 85%. MISAT also unified how non-adherence to psychotropic is addressed by mental health providers.

Discussion: MISAT should be considered in other settings where patients diagnosed with SMI are faced with non-adherence to psychotropic medication, but the sessions' format should be structured to fit the patients' needs.