Thesis (M.D.)—Boston University

Mental illnesses are very common. Those who are affected experience significant disadvantages that are evident in terms of poorer health outcomes, higher rates of premature death and enduring disability, socioeconomic disadvantage and poor quality of life. People with mental illness are significant users of health services, having frequent and lengthy hospitalisations and requiring extensive medication therapy. Polypharmacy is common amongst those with psychiatric illnesses, and the drugs that are used are often of low therapeutic index and with considerable potential to cause significant medication-related problems. This thesis explores the prevalence, nature and impact of medication-related problems that affect people with serious psychiatric illnesses, and examines the ways in which specialist pharmacy practitioners can assist with strategies to address these.

Mental illnesses are very common. Those who are affected experience significant disadvantages that are evident in terms of poorer health outcomes, higher rates of premature death and enduring disability, socioeconomic disadvantage and poor quality of life. People with mental illness are significant users of health services, having frequent and lengthy hospitalisations and requiring extensive medication therapy. Polypharmacy is common amongst those with psychiatric illnesses, and the drugs that are used are often of low therapeutic index and with considerable potential to cause significant medication-related problems. This thesis explores the prevalence, nature and impact of medication-related problems that affect people with serious psychiatric illnesses, and examines the ways in which specialist pharmacy practitioners can assist with strategies to address these.