Nurses' Knowledge in and Attitudes towards Psychopharmacology

Abstract

Introduction: It is important for mental health professionals to know about psychotropic medications including indications, contraindications, side effects and dosages. Nurses are the main members of psychiatric treatment team. They must be updated on developments and promotions of psychotropic drugs. Also, they must have positive attitudes towards the medications to manage mental patients appropriately. The objective of this study was to survey nurses working in chronic psychiatric centers regarding psychopharmacology.

Methods: This study was done in 1999 in Modarress Hospital, a chronic mental center. Forty six nurses were randomly selected. They completed questionnaires, which included 3 sections of demographic information, knowledge and attitudes. The results were analyzed by SPSS.

Results: Ten percent of nurses knew psychotropic drug group. The majority of them did not have enough knowledge of and positive attitude towards psychopharmacology.

Conclusion: It is necessary to introduce educational courses of psychopharmacology for nurses, especially those working in psychiatric centers. They need continuing education during the work too.