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Factors Influencing Medication Self-management in Patients
with Schizophrenia: A Qualitative Study

L. Qin, Q. Zhou, and H. Sun 1
1
1
Jiangsu Vocational College of Medicine, China
1

Background: Medication adherence among patients with schizophrenia post-discharge is often poor,
leading to increased risks of relapse and rehospitalization. Effective medication self-management is crucial
for maintaining mental stability and reducing hospital readmissions. Despite its importance, there is limited
research exploring the factors affecting medication self-management from the patients’ perspectives.

Objective: This study aims to identify the factors influencing medication self-management among
patients with schizophrenia from their perspectives.

Methods: Grounded theory methodology was applied to guide the data collection and analysis.
Participants were recruited through purposive sampling and theoretical sampling. Semi-structured
interviews were conducted with 17 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia in China, spanning from
September 2018 to September 2019.

Results: The study identified two key facilitators and four barriers related to personal, family, and societal
factors affecting individual medication self-management. Supportive care services and strong family
bonds were facilitators. Barriers included lack of knowledge, uncontrollable side effects, medication stigma,
and negative relationships with health professionals.

Conclusion: This study identified the factors related to medication self-management in patients with
schizophrenia which provide clinical suggestions to formulate individualized and comprehensive
Oral Presentation Abstracts
interventions, thereby achieving the rehabilitation goal of patients with schizophrenia.

Keywords: antipsychotics, qualitative research, schizophrenia, self-management

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Correspondence: Qiu Yu Zhou, Jiangsu Vocational College of Medicine, China
E-mail: hmuhlxy@163.com

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