Medication adherence

MEDICATION ADHERENCE AND INTERPROFESSIONAL COLLABORATION

“ Why won’t they just take their pills?”

The reasons for medication non-adherence can be complex. Just because a person is prescribed medication does not mean that they will take that medication. What is the role of a social worker in this situation? While it is important for social workers to understand medications and the effects of medications, prescribing medication is outside a social worker’s scope of practice. This means that social workers must work both with clients and with other health professionals when addressing medication adherence.

For this Discussion, you consider the role of the social worker within an interdisciplinary team in supporting a client’s treatment plan.

· Describe 2-3 different reasons why an individual may not take their medication as prescribed.

· Explain the role of the social worker in addressing medication adherence.

· Describe specific skills or strategies you would use both with the client and the prescribing health professional to address medication adherence.

· Explain how a social worker’s role may differ from other health professionals when addressing medication adherence.

· Explain how social identity, power, privilege, and marginalization may impact the reason for non-adherence.

LEARNING RESOURCES

Required Readings

· Preston, J. D., O’Neal, J. H., & Talaga, M. C. (2017).  Handbook of clinical psychopharmacology for therapists (8th ed.). Oakland, CA: New Harbinger.

· Chapter 22, “Red Flags: When to Reevaluate” (pp. 255-276)

· Ruffalo, M. L. (2016).  The Social Worker, Psycho tropic Medication, and Right to Refuse.Links to an external site.  Social Work, 61(3), 271-272. doi:10.1093/sw/sww027

· Townsend, L. (2009).  How effective are interventions to enhance adherence to psychiatric medications? Practice implications for social workers working with adults diagnosed with severe mental illness.Links to an external site.  Journal Of Human Behavior In The Social Environment, 19(5), 512-530.