Australian case managers' views about the impact of antipsychotic medication on mental health consumers

Abstract

This study examined case managers' views about antipsychotic medications and the impact of side-effects on mental health consumers in a community setting. Nine case managers were purposively sampled and interviewed. Content analysis was used to generate a series of themes. The findings indicated that case managers perceived that a lack of consumer insight was one of the main reasons for wanting to reduce, or altogether cease, antipsychotic medication. However, case managers lacked an adequate level of knowledge about antipsychotic medication side-effects. Without a sufficient level of knowledge, case managers may be unable to fully address consumers' concerns.