Understanding Drug-taking Behavior and Factors influencing in People with Schizophrenia: A Qualitative Study

Keywords: Schizophrenia, pharmacist-led intervention, home care, FGDs

Abstract

Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder that significantly impacts patients, families, and healthcare systems. Medication non-adherence poses a major challenge, leading to relapse and increased healthcare costs. The Si-Care (Schizophrenia Care) program, a pharmacist-led home care intervention, was developed to improve medication adherence and therapy outcomes. This study aimed to refine the Si-Care program and its educational booklet using focus group discussions (FGDs) with healthcare professionals. FGDs were conducted with 13 healthcare professionals, including pharmacists, psychiatrists, nurses, and general practitioners, in Banjarmasin, Indonesia. Participants were recruited purposively for their experience in schizophrenia care. Discussions explored the feasibility and components of the Si-Care program and gathered recommendations for optimizing the educational booklet. Data were analyzed thematically to identify key themes and patterns. Four themes emerged from FGDs, including the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, the perceived benefits of the program, the expanded role of pharmacists, and the need for management and regulatory support. Participants emphasized the program’s potential to enhance medication adherence through comprehensive counseling, education, and monitoring. For the booklet, recommendations included using plain language, incorporating visual aids, and addressing emergency signs for schizophrenia. Practicality and cost-effectiveness were highlighted as essential considerations. The Si-Care program presents a promising pharmacist-led intervention for improving schizophrenia care. Multidisciplinary input refined the program and its educational materials, enhancing their feasibility and relevance. Future research should focus on pilot testing to evaluate the program’s scalability and impact on patient outcomes, incorporating feedback from patients and families.

Author Biographies

Susi Ari Kristina, Universitas Gadjah Mada

Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Anna Wahyuni Widayanti, Universitas Gadjah Mada

Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

James Green, University of Limerick

School of Allied Health and Physical Activity for Health Centre, Health Research Institute (HRI), University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland

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Published
2025-09-11
How to Cite
Noor cahaya, Susi Ari Kristina, Anna Wahyuni Widayanti, & James Green. (2025). Understanding Drug-taking Behavior and Factors influencing in People with Schizophrenia: A Qualitative Study. Indonesian Journal of Pharmacy. https://doi.org/10.22146/ijp.18268
Section
Research Article

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