Important aspects of experiences from patients and parents related to medications in Child and Adolescents Mental Health Services (CAMHS) - a qualitative study

TL;DR

This study explores the experiences of adolescents and parents regarding medication in mental health care, highlighting key aspects like effects, side effects, and follow-up care.

Contribution

The study identifies specific aspects of medication experiences in CAMHS through qualitative interviews with adolescents and parents.

Findings

Adolescents emphasized positive effects of medication, such as improved concentration and behavior.

Parents highlighted the importance of professional follow-up care for their children's medication.

Both groups identified side effects as a significant concern, though differing in their focus on follow-up care.

Abstract

Patient-reported experiences are a key source of information on quality in mental health care. Most patient experience surveys are limited to assessments from adults, including those conducted by parents or proxies on behalf of others. The aim of this study was to produce findings to inform development of modules on patient and parent experiences with medication in outpatient CAMHS in Norway, for use in previously validated instruments applied in national surveys.

We developed survey questions based on a systematic literature review, expert-group consultations, interviews with adolescents and parents, and pretesting of the modules in a pilot study. This study included adolescents aged 12–17 years and parents with experiences from outpatient CAMHS and we present findings from semi-structured interviews.

Adolescents with ADHD emphasized the following aspects as important concerning medication use in CAMHS: positive effects of medication like better function and concentration in school and change of behaviour. They also stressed the importance of side effects such as eating problems, nausea, loss of appetite, insomnia, and changes in thoughts and feelings. In addition, adolescents highlighted the significance of aspects as support in daily routines for taking medications, while parents highlighted needs for a professional follow-up care. Parents emphasized aspects regarding their children’s medication included both positive effects and change in behaviour, as well as their identification of negative side effects.

Our findings from semi-structured interviews identified important aspects reported by both patients and parents on functions, side effects and follow-up care related to medication. The results indicated that both groups emphasized corresponding aspects of what was important regarding medication. However, when it came to follow-up care, the two groups highlighted distinct aspects, indicating differing priorities or concerns in this area.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40359-024-01962-9.