To examine the extent of compliance to the proposed monitoring protocol among practicing psychiatrists for second generation antipsychotics.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the extent of compliance to the proposed monitoring protocol among practicing psychiatrists for second generation antipsychotics.

METHODS

Questionnaire was sent through Survey Monkey to practicing psychiatrists in the states of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas. Also paper surveys were distributed to individual psychiatrists of Kansas and Nebraska at their grand rounds, inpatient settings, and outpatient clinics.

RESULTS

Ninety eight responses were received of which 51 participants completed the survey on Survey Monkey and 47 completed the paper surveys. Fifty-one percent reported that 25% to 50% of their patients were taking SGAs. About two thirds (69.4%) reported familiarity with the proposed protocol, 17.3% were unfamiliar, and 13% were not sure. Of those who were familiar, 63% percent reported their adherence to the protocol, 21% did not follow the protocol, and 16% were not sure. However, when their responses were closely examined, only five (5%) of the respondents were found completely adherent to the protocol.

CONCLUSIONS

Majority of participants were aware of the proposed protocol to protect their patients from metabolic side effects but many of them did not follow it completely. A large study at the national level needs to be done to replicate these findings.