Awareness, Compliance, and Self-Discontinuation of Medication in Psychosis Outpatients in University Hospital Setting
10.16946/kjsr.2026.29.1.25
- Author:
Young Hoon KIM
1
;
Jae Hoon JEONG
;
Nuree KANG
;
Junggeun AHN
;
Jangmi BAEK
;
Jiu KIM
;
Hyunju LEE
;
Yong-Min AHN
;
Se Hyun KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Korean Journal of Schizophrenia Research
2026;29(1):25-33
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Objectives:This study investigated medication perceptions, adherence patterns, self-discontinuation experiences, and information sources among psychiatric outpatients to provide evidence for improving adherence strategies.
Methods:A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 79 outpatients from a University Hospital, Department of Psychiatry. Self-administered questionnaires assessed diagnostic awareness, medication perceptions, adherence behaviors, discontinuation experiences, side effects, and information sources.
Results:Overall, 89.7% knew their psychiatric diagnosis and 88.2% perceived medication as effective. While 73.1% rarely forgot medication, 35.9% had previously self-discontinued treatment. Medication adherence was significantly associated with previous discontinuation experience (p=0.006), whereas diagnostic awareness and efficacy perception were not. Primary discontinuation reasons were symptom improvement (53.6%) and physical discomfort (35.7%). Common side effects included weight gain (n=31), daytime drowsiness (n=26), memory impairment (n=24), and concentration problems (n=22). Patients primarily obtained side effect information from TV/internet (27.8%) rather than healthcare providers (20.3%). Most patients desired additional information about side effects (57.0%) and medication effects (54.4%).
Conclusion:Daily medication-taking behaviors were more predictive of treatment discontinuation than cognitive factors in this outpatient sample. Discontinuation due to symptom improvement and reliance on non-medical information sources highlights the need for enhanced patient education regarding relapse risks and systematic provision of accurate medication information.
