Patient Perspectives on Long-Acting Injectable Medications During Psychiatric Hospitalization

Objective: To characterize patient perspectives on long-acting injectable (LAI) medications among adult psychiatric inpatients.

Methods: We conducted a prospective, observational pilot study of adult inpatients on a voluntary psychiatric unit at an urban safety-net hospital in Washington, DC. Patients were approached during hospitalization and completed a brief, structured worksheet assessing prior LAI exposure, perceived experience, and current treatment preferences. Data were collected from February 2025 to April 2025 and analyzed descriptively.

Results: A total of 30 patients participated (mean age of 46.8 years, 63% men, 87% Black). Most participants reported no prior LAI exposure (n=22, 73%). Among those with reported prior exposure (n=7, 23%), experiences were mixed: 2 reported that it was mostly helpful (29%), 2 reported that it was neutral (29%), and 2 reported that it was not helpful (29%). One person had not yet formed an opinion. Regarding current treatment preferences, a third stated that they preferred oral medications (n=10, 33%). Most reported that they would consider an LAI (n=10, 33%) or that they were unsure and wanted to discuss it further with their treatment team (n=8, 27%).

Conclusions: In this pilot sample, patient perspectives on LAI medications during psychiatric hospitalization were heterogeneous and characterized by substantial openness and uncertainty rather than fixed resistance. These findings suggest that inpatient settings may represent an opportunity for patient-centered discussion and shared decision-making regarding LAI treatment.

Prim Care Companion CNS Disord 2026;28(5):26m04258.

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