Mental health nurses’ medicines management role: A qualitative content analysis

Aim: This study explores medicines management role undertaken by mental health nurses (MHN) in a wide variety of clinical specialisms and contexts.

Method: Ten MHNs were interviewed and audiotaped. Qualitative content analysis of the transcribed interviews was undertaken.

Results: These findings evidenced the wide-ranging skills and knowledge the MHN demonstrate when psychotropic medication is prescribed, and how they engage with service users and other practitioners. Four themes emerged that illustrated how the participants undertook such interventions: medicines management in context; managing time; knowledge and skill used; and collaboration with other healthcare providers. Medicines management therefore needs a greater emphasis for service users to achieve optimum outcomes from the drugs they are prescribed.