[Informing psychiatric patients about medication - results of a query].

PURPOSE

Physicians are obliged to inform all patients about the purpose and risks of therapeutic procedures, also drug treatment. However, although there may be some severe difficulties in informing psychiatric patients only very few data concerning this topic are available as yet. Thus, the aim of this query was to evaluate the patients' opinion of the information about medication.

METHODS

In this investigation 255 psychiatric inpatients were asked to complete a questionnaire.

RESULTS

42 % of the patients complained about no or insufficient information of the expected effects of the prescribed medication and 62 % about no or insufficient information of side-effects. An association was found between the willingness to take the medication for a long time and insight in their psychic condition, but not with satisfying informing.

CONCLUSION

This query showed the need of a more precise and satisfying information on medication and the need to develop strategies for a better information about side-effects.