Promoting medication compliance in clients with chronic mental illness.

In assisting with the delivery of mental health services for clients with chronic illness, nurses' specific professional skills play an important role. Nurses are working with clients who have chronic mental illness and their families in large numbers in the hospital and the community. Psychoeducational programs serve the goal of rehabilitation by promoting healthy behavior and preventing further illness. The current widespread involvement by nurses in helping clients with chronic mental illness comply with medication regimens indicates the extent of the need for this type of intervention. An active relationship between nurse and client improves compliance. The relationship involves teaching clients and family members about mental illness, medication regimens, and methods for coping with day-to-day living and crises that arise. Responsibility for medication education invites nurses to become more involved in other aspects of client and family preparation for living with chronic mental illness. Nurses provide programs about medications and their effects, social and living skills, and family education for clients with chronic mental illness.