Ther Adv Psychopharmacol 2015, Vol. 5(5) 289–303 DOI: 10.1177/ 2045125315598466 © The Author(s), 2015. Reprints and permissions: http://www.sagepub.co.uk/ journalsPermissions.nav Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology http://tpp.sagepub.com 289 Background In the past two decades we have seen many advances in the pharmacological treatments avail- able for mental health patients. At the same time we have also witnessed the move towards shared decision making, with patients becoming increas- ingly involved in decisions concerning their treat- ment and recovery [Dassori et al. 2003; Mahone, 2008; Slade, 2012]. Despite these advances, the unavoidable issue of psychotropic medication side effects, some of which can be intolerable, still remains unresolved. Side effects are reported as the main reason for nonad- herence to pharmacological treatment, patients’ negative attitudes towards medication and reduced quality of life of patients under treatment [Dassori et al. 2003; Staring et al. 2009]. Nonadherence has serious consequences in mental health patients including relapse and rehospitalization, relation- ship breakdown, loss of housing, loss of employ- ment, involvement in substance abuse, crime and suicide [Ascher-Svanum et al. 2008; Yen et al. 2009; Chapman and Horne, 2013]. Many earlier studies have shown a link between subjective reporting of side effects and adherence [Van Putten et al. 1981; Hogan et al. 1983; Naber et al. 1994] and that patients will often only report side effects if directly asked [Weiden and Miller, 2001; Yusufi et al. 2007]. For this reason, there is a need for a simple patient centred tool that measures the most bothersome patient perceived medication side effects that may eventually lead to discontinuation of treatment. Development of the My Medicines and Me (M3Q) side effect questionnaire for mental health patients: a qualitative study Deena M. Ashoorian, Rowan M. Davidson, Daniel J. T. Rock, Liza J. Seubert and Rhonda M. Clifford Abstract Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the acceptability, content validity and usability of the My Medicines and Me (M3Q) self-report side effect questionnaire. Methods: Eight focus groups consisting of mental health patients, carers, general practitioners, psychiatrists, mental health nurses and pharmacists were conducted, involving 78 participants. Two researchers independently examined the transcriptions and analysed the data thematically using an inductive method. Results: The findings supported changes to the formatting, length and phrasing of questions in the original version of the questionnaire. Although the groups provided differing views on the usability of the M3Q in clinical practice, the patient and carer groups were unconditionally in favour of such a tool to be used systematically to describe patients’ subjective experiences with side effects. Conclusion: The differing contribution made by all groups involved in the administration and completion of the M3Q assisted with content validity of the questionnaire. The acceptability and usability of this novel side effect questionnaire was also explored, with many participants agreeing it was a necessary tool for a patient centred approach to treatment. Following implementation of the changes to the current format of the questionnaire, investigation into the uptake and use in clinical practice should be carried out. Keywords: adverse effect, psychotropic medication, subjective experience, tool Correspondence to: Deena M. Ashoorian, BPharm Pharmacy Program, School of Medicine and Pharmacology, The University of Western Australia, M315, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia. deena.ashoorian@uwa. edu.au Rowan M. Davidson, MBBS, MHSci, FRANZCP North Metropolitan Health Service Mental Health, Perth, Australia; (School of Medicine and Pharmacology) The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia Daniel J. T. Rock, PhD North Metropolitan Health Service Mental Health, Perth, Australia; (School of Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences) (School of Population Health) The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia Liza J. Seubert, BPharm Rhonda M. Clifford, PhD Pharmacy Program (School of Medicine and Pharmacology,) The University of Western Australia, Australia 598466TPP 0 0 10.1177/2045125315598466Therapeutic Advances in PsychopharmacologyD. M. Ashoorian et al. research-article 2015 Original Research by guest on October 6, 2015 tpp.sagepub.com Downloaded from