[Medication group for noncompliant patients in a psychiatric day unit--experiences during a one year period]

A group of noncompliant psychiatric patients was treated on a weekly basis over a 6-month period; 13 started but 3 dropped out. Results indicated greater feeling of security with medication; increased desire to maintain follow-up treatment in the outpatient clinic; greater likelihood of patients accepting their illness; and strong desire to discuss medication-related topics with staff. Our medication group appears to offer a convenient and organized method for addressing issues of psychiatric medication, especially for chronic patients, which we recommend to clinicians in other medical disciplines.