Perspectives of psychiatric patients in rural areas of Jordan: Barriers to compliance and pharmacist role

Abstract

Background: Successful management of psychiatric disorders is affected by patient perspectives and several barriers, that is, conceptual, psychological, social, or logistic reasons that can decrease patient adherence to therapy. In this perspective, pharmacists have a vital role in identifying patients in need of help and in dealing with barriers.Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate perspectives of patients diagnosed with psychiatric disorders, living in rural areas in Jerash, Jordan, regarding their awareness about their conditions, including religious and cultural factors, adherence to their treatment and related barriers, with special focus on pharmacist's role. Methods:This cross-sectional survey study was conducted in Jordan from August to November 2019. A validated questionnaire was administered by two pharmacy students via a structured interview with patients waiting for their appointment in the psychiatric clinic. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences.Results: One hundred twenty patients (age 39.4 ± 9.5, 66.7% males) completed the questionnaire. Most of them (71.0%) reported adherence to their medications, and 47.5% reported complete control of their symptoms with treatment. Most patients (59.2%) reported that they perceive their psychiatric problem in terms of religious faith as being counted for their favour in the Hereafter, and 52.5% of them always/ usually looked at themselves positively and unaffected by their psychiatric problem; with both factors correlating significantly with better treatment adherence (P < .045 and P < .001; respectively). Barriers affecting adherence included mainly suffering from adverse effects (31.9%) and being unconvinced that they needed a medication (23.3%). Only 14.2% of patients reported that they refer to the pharmacist to get information about their medications. Conclusion:This study shows suboptimal symptom control of psychiatric patients in Jerash. Nonadherence is an issue, with barriers identified. Positive religious and selfimage perspectives correlated with better adherence. Patient referral to pharmacists is minimal and needs to be optimised.