Global Assessment of Medication Adherence: Correlational Analyses of a Brief Tool for Evaluating Medication Adherence in Patients with Severe Mental Disorders.

Background: Assessment of medication adherence of patients with severe mental disorders is an important aspect of long-term treatment. There is a need for a brief and practical tool to assess medication adherence. This study investigates the clinical, functional, and validational correlations of a short and easy-to-use tool.

Methods: Global Assessment of Medication Adherence (GAMA) was prepared as a single item with 5 severity degrees, from complete adherence (1 point) to complete nonadherence (5 points). The scale was applied to patients with severe mental illnesses receiving outpatient and inpatient treatment. The GAMA scores were compared with psychopathology, clinical severity, insight, and functionality scale scores. While the validity analyses were tested with face, convergent, and criterion validity, interrater reliability was used for the reliability analysis.

Results: Data from 70 outpatients and 14 inpatients were examined. In the analyses performed for convergent validity, a positive correlation was found between GAMA scores and psychopathology (r=0.646, P < .001), and clinical severity (r = 0.692, P < .001), and a significant negative correlation was found between GAMA scores and insight (r = −0.793, P < .001), and functionality (r = −0.740, P < .001). There was a significant difference in the GAMA scores of 14 patients assessed during hospitalization and discharge. A high positive correlation was found between the GAMA measurements of the psychiatrist and the nurse at admission and discharge.

Conclusion: This study shows that the GAMA has sufficient psychometric properties for assessing medication adherence. Due to its brevity, simplicity, and validity, the scale is appropriate for use in routine clinical practice and research.