The British Journal of Psychiatry (2009) 195: S43-S50. doi: 10.1192/bjp.195.52.s43
© 2009 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
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REVIEW ARTICLES

Attitudes of patients and mental health staff to antipsychotic long-acting injections: systematic review

Linda Waddell, MRCPsych

Hairmyres Hospital, Lanarkshire

Mark Taylor, BSc(Hons), FRCPsych, FRANZCP

Ballenden House, Edinburgh, UK

Correspondence: Dr Mark Taylor, Ballenden House, Edinburgh EH8 9HL, UK. Email: marktaylor2{at}nhs.net

Declaration of interest

M.T. has received hospitality and honoraria from various pharmaceutical firms.

Background

The attitudes of staff and patients have been demonstrated to influence the acceptance of long-acting injections (LAIs) or depot antipsychotics.

Aims

To examine the attitudes of patients and staff to LAIs.

Method

A systematic review was carried out. Studies included contained quantitative data for attitudes of patients or staff to LAIs.

Results

Twelve studies published subsequent to the systematic review reported in 2001 were identified. Five studies conveyed an overall positive attitude. The most positive attitudes among patients were seen in those already prescribed an LAI. Positive attitudes of staff correlated closely with the extent of their knowledge of LAIs.

Conclusions

Long-acting injections continue to have an image problem, arguably perpetuated by manufacturers of oral second-generation antipsychotic drugs, and exacerbated by the predominant use of these medications as a `last resort' often for the most stigmatised individuals. The introduction of better-tolerated LAIs and better education of both staff and patients may encourage individuals to re-examine their attitudes.