Table 8.
The medication literacy assessment scale for patients with mental disorders in recovery.
| The medication literacy assessment scale for patients with mental disorders in recovery | Score | |
|---|---|---|
| Functional Literacy | 1. You are taking your psychotropic medication as prescribed by your doctor □ Always □ Often □ Sometimes □ Rarely □ Never |
□5 □4 □3 □2 □1 |
| 2. Please name the psychotropic medication you are currently taking (refer to your pill box if needed). | □5 □4 □3 □2 □1 | |
| 3*. What effects does the psychotropic medication you are currently taking have? Reference options: □ Don’t know □ Antipsychotics □ Antidepressants □ Mood stabilizers □ Anxiolytics □ Sedative-hypnotics □ Cognitive enhancers |
□5 □4 □3 □2 □1 | |
| 4. Please state your current medication status. Reference options: □ Don’t know □ On time and dosage □ On dosage and not on time □ On time and not on dosage □Neither on time nor on dosage □ Not taking medication |
□5 □4 □3 □2 □1 | |
| 5*. Please specify the exact times you take your medication. Reference options: □ Don’t know □ Morning fasting □ Taking before meal □ Taking during meal □ Taking after meal □ Taking before bedtime |
□5 □4 □3 □2 □1 | |
| 6. Please specify the total duration for which you should continue taking your current psychiatric medication. Reference options: □ Don’t know □ Continuous medication, 1-3 years for first episode □ Continuous medication, 3-5 years for single relapse □ Long-term medication for more than two relapses within 5 years □ Long-term treatment for significant residual symptoms □ As directed by doctor |
□5 □4 □3 □2 □1 | |
| 7. Please describe your follow-up appointments after taking psychotropic medication. Reference options: □ Don’t know □ No need for follow-up □ Strictly adherence to doctor’s orders □ Early or delayed follow-up according to your condition □ Follow-up visit based on personal preference □ Follow-up by your family members |
□5 □4 □3 □2 □1 | |
| 8*. You are required to undergo routine examinations related to your psychotropic medication during treatment. Reference options: □ Don’t know □ Laboratory tests (blood counts, liver and kidney functions, etc.) □ Electrocardiogram □ B-scan ultrasonography □ Electroencephalography □ Neuropsychological evaluation |
□5 □4 □3 □2 □1 | |
| 9*. Please list the common side effects of the psychotropic medication you are currently taking. Reference options: □ Don’t know □ General common adverse reactions (gastrointestinal symptoms, cardiovascular system symptoms) □ extra vertebral system reactions (acute dystonia, Parkinson’s-like disease, inability to sit still, and delayed dyskinesia) □ Metabolic syndrome (weight gain, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension) □ Disorders of the endocrine system (increased prolactin, menstrual disorders, and abnormalities of sexual function) □ Abnormalities of liver and kidney function □ Excessive Sedation, insomnia, irritability □ Lithium toxicity □ Leukopenia □ Other, please list: |
□5 □4 □3 □2 □1 | |
| 10*. Please specify the precautions you should take while using psychotropic medication. Reference options: □ Don’t know □ Monitor medication dosage □ Check medication expiration date □ Understand drug interactions □ Be aware of adverse drug reactions □ Know indications and contraindications □ Knowing the special medication population (pregnant women, children, elderly, etc.) □ Other, please list: |
□5 □4 □3 □2 □1 | |
| Communicative Literacy | 11. How often do you access information on psychotropic medication from public sources, like books, internet? □ Always □ Often □ Sometimes □ Rarely □ Never |
□5 □4 □3 □2 □1 |
| 12. How often do you access information on psychotropic medication from a loved one or friend? □ Always □ Often □ Sometimes □ Rarely □ Never |
□5 □4 □3 □2 □1 | |
| 13. How often do you access information on psychotropic medication from health education lectures held by hospitals or the community? □ Always □ Often □ Sometimes □ Rarely □ Never |
□5 □4 □3 □2 □1 | |
| 14. How often do you consult healthcare professionals about information related to your current psychotropic medication (such as side effect precautions, risks and benefits, or adjustment methods)? □ Always □ Often □ Sometimes □ Rarely □ Never |
□5 □4 □3 □2 □1 | |
| 15. How often do you report any adverse reactions or side effects from your current psychotropic medication to healthcare professionals? □ Always □ Often □ Sometimes □ Rarely □ Never |
□5 □4 □3 □2 □1 | |
| 16. How often do you participate in peer support groups or group interventions to discuss your current psychotropic medication? □ Always □ Often □ Sometimes □ Rarely □ Never |
□5 □4 □3 □2 □1 | |
| Critical Literacy | 17. Please indicate the typical time it takes for your current psychotropic medication to take effect after administration. Reference options: □ Don’t know □ Within 24 hours □ Within 1 week □ 2-3 weeks □ After one month |
□5 □4 □3 □2 □1 |
| 18*. Please indicate the factors that may affect medication effectiveness during treatment. Reference options: □ Don’t know □ Switched to a different manufacturer for the same medication □ Changed medication type □ Changed medication timing □ Adjusted medication dosage □ Adjusted medication frequency □ Stopped taking medication □ Irregular lifestyle or routine □ Smoking, alcohol, strong tea, or coffee, etc. □ Other, please list: |
□5 □4 □3 □2 □1 | |
| 19. What should you do if you miss a dose of your medication? Reference options: □ Don’t know □ Ignore □ Take double dose with next dose □ Skip the missed dose and take the next dose as scheduled □ Time between next dose of medication □ Consult psychiatrists □ Other, please list: |
□5 □4 □3 □2 □1 | |
| 20. What actions do you usually take if you accidentally take the wrong dose or an overdose of your medication? Reference options: □ Don’t know □ Ignore □ Attempt to accelerate metabolism (e.g., self-induced vomiting) □ Consult psychiatrists immediately □ Other, please list: |
□5 □4 □3 □2 □1 | |
| 21. How do you usually manage changes in your condition while on medication? Reference options: □ Don’t know □ Self-discontinuation of medication □ Adhere to the prescribed medication dosage and review at the same time □ Self-adjustment of dosage of medication □ Consult psychiatrists immediately □ Other, please list: |
□5 □4 □3 □2 □1 | |
| 22. What do you usually do if you feel that your medication is ineffective? Reference options: □ Don’t know □ Self-discontinuation of medication □ Adhere to the prescribed medication dosage and review at the same time □ Self-adjustment of dosage of medication □Consult psychiatrists immediately □ Other, please list: |
□5 □4 □3 □2 □1 | |
| 23*. How do you manage side effects while taking your medication? Reference options: □ Don’t know □ Actively manage, and handling common or persistent side effects according to psychiatrist’s guidance (e.g., using laxatives for constipation) □ Passively cope, such as adjusting the dose or stopping the medication on your own □ Ignore unavoidable medication side effects □ Consult psychiatrists immediately for severe side effects □ Constant side effects, no special attention needed □ Take no action □ Other, please list: |
□5 □4 □3 □2 □1 | |
| 24*. Please state the indications for discontinuing your current psychotropic medication. Reference options: □ Don’t know □ Discontinue when symptoms disappear □ Discontinue if perceived as ineffective □ Discontinue as per doctor’s instructions □ Lifelong medication, cannot discontinue □ For first episode, taper off medication after the maintenance phase □ For recurrent cases, taper off if the condition remains stable for over 3 years with no significant fluctuations □ Discontinue if serious drug-related adverse effects occur (e.g., malignant syndrome, myocarditis, agranulocytosis) □ Other, please list: |
□5 □4 □3 □2 □1 | |
| 25*. Please describe the potential risks of interrupting your medication during treatment. Reference options: □ Don’t know □ No impact □ Withdrawal syndrome (dizziness, pain, inexplicable discomfort, anxiety, tachycardia, etc.) □ Relapse or worsening of mental illness □ Affecting the recovery effect □ Increasing the cost of treatment |
□5 □4 □3 □2 □1 | |
| 26. How do you typically handle situations when your prescribed treatment conflicts with your personal preferences for taking medication? Reference options: □ Don’t know □ Take medication according to personal preference □ Follow the prescribed medication □ Actively discuss medication options with the doctor □ Other, please list: |
□5 □4 □3 □2 □1 | |
| 27. What do you consider to be the most critical points in assessing the efficacy of psychotropic medications? Reference options: □ Don’t know □ Psychotic symptoms □ Physical condition □ Social functioning □ Daily living abilities □ Insight recovery □ Other, please list: |
□5 □4 □3 □2 □1 | |
| Numeracy | 28. Please converting gram (g) to milligrams (mg) on the medication packaging (e.g., 1g =? mg; 0.1g =? mg). □ Fully aware □ Knows enough □ Knows some □ Knows a little □ Doesn’t know at all |
□5 □4 □3 □2 □1 |
| 29. Please calculate the number of tablets required for the prescribed dosage each time. □ Fully aware □ Knows enough □ Knows some □ Knows a little □ Doesn’t know at all |
□5 □4 □3 □2 □1 | |
| 30. Please specify the number of times per day you take your current psychotropic medication. □ Fully aware □ Knows enough □ Knows some □ Knows a little □ Doesn’t know at all |
□5 □4 □3 □2 □1 | |
| 31. Please specify the maximum daily dosage of your current medication. □ Fully aware □ Knows enough □ Knows some □ Knows a little □ Doesn’t know at all |
□5 □4 □3 □2 □1 | |
| 32. Please specify the toxic dose of your current medication. □ Fully aware □ Knows enough □ Knows some □ Knows a little □ Doesn’t know at all |
□5 □4 □3 □2 □1 | |
| 33. Please calculate how long your remaining psychotropic medication will last. □ Fully aware □ Knows enough □ Knows some □ Knows a little □ Doesn’t know at all |
□5 □4 □3 □2 □1 | |
| 34. Please state the expiration date of your current psychotropic medication. □ Fully aware □ Knows enough □ Knows some □ Knows a little □ Doesn’t know at all |
□5 □4 □3 □2 □1 | |
| 35. Please state the date of your next follow-up appointment as agreed upon with your doctor. □ Fully aware □ Knows enough □ Knows some □ Knows a little □ Doesn’t know at all |
□5 □4 □3 □2 □1 | |
| Totals: | ||
*, Indicates multiple-choice questions. Each question includes detailed scoring criteria, which can be converted to a five-point Likert scale. Scoring details supporting this scale are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. Reference options: In this question, you can select one or more answers based on the actual situation. Totals: Represents the sum or total of the scores of all items.