Patient Education to Promote Medication Adherence Among Individuals With Mental Illness An Integrative Review

PURPOSE: Individuals with mental illness experience higher mortality rates compared to those without mental illness. Medication adherence is essential for improving health outcomes; however, it remains a persistent challenge among this population. The current review examines the components, delivery methods, and modalities of patient education interventions to assess their impact on medication adherence among individuals with mental illness. METHOD: A comprehensive literature search across three major databases identified five relevant studies. RESULTS: Three key themes emerged: (1) Patient Education Enhances Medication Adherence, (2) Disease Insight is a Critical Determinant of Adherence Behaviors, and (3) Specific Intervention Elements Influence Treatment Outcomes. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that multi-modal education delivery is the most effective approach for improving adherence. However, further research is needed to establish the most effective evidence-based educational strategies.