Mental health nurses’ medicines management role: a qualitative content analysis

Aim: This study explores medicines management role undertaken by mental health nurses
(MHN) in a wide variety of clinical specialisms and contexts.
Method: Ten MHNs were interviewed and audiotaped. Qualitative content analysis of the
transcribed interviews was undertaken.
Results: These findings evidenced the wide ranging skills and knowledge the MHN utilizes
when psychotropic medication is prescribed, and how they engage with service users and
other practitioners. Four themes emerged that illustrated how the participants undertook such
interventions: Medicines management in context; Managing time; Knowledge and skill used;
Collaboration with other healthcare providers. Medicines management thus needs a greater
emphasis in order for the for service users from the drugs they are prescribed achieves the
optimum outcome.