Staff Knowledge of the Side Effects of Anti-Psychotic Medication

Background: Anti-psychotic medications are widely prescribed to people with intellectual disabilities and have a range of negative side effects. The aim was to identify the level of knowledge of anti-psychotic medications and their side effects among key carers or home managers of adults with intellectual disabilities living in residential group homes who are prescribed such medication. Method: The sample was 25 of the 30 adults on the caseloads of community nurses in one community learning disability team who lived in residential services and who were prescribed anti-psychotic medication. Key carers (n = 22) or home managers (n = 3) were interviewed about their knowledge of these medications and their side effects, the source of their knowledge and their needs for training. Results: Knowledge of potential side effects was somewhat limited. Only two were identified by the majority of respondents. Most respondents felt insufficiently informed and in need of further training. Conclusions: There is a role for an informed professional, such as a community nurse, to ensure that carers receive good, verbal and written information about such medications and their side effects at the time of prescription.