Medicines, ‘medication work’ and networks of support in the community following mental health hospital discharge
A qualitative interview study
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 24227374 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Mark Jeffries (0000-0002-6882-0350), Fiona Naylor, Natasha Tyler (0000-0001-8257-1090), Catherine Robinson (0000-0002-6459-8238), Maria Panagioti (0000-0002-7153-5745), Richard N Keers (0000-0001-7854-8154) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 410 |
| Pages | 119910 |
| Publication date | 2026-12-01 |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Social Science & Medicine (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0277-9536 • E-ISSN: 1873-5347 |
| Publisher | Elsevier BV (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.socscimed.2026.119910 |
| PMID | 42868728 |
| OpenAlex | W7220916988 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 46 |
'Medication work' is routine medicine-taking tasks and strategies that individuals employ to ensure safe medicine use. 'Social networks' the social ties and connectedness that link people together, are considered important in people's health. This study explored the views of people with lived experience of mental illness, carers, and health professionals of medicines use following mental health hospital discharge to understand 'medication work' and social support. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants, recruited via social media and the research team's professional networks. To explore medication support a diagram of support networks was co-produced with participants. Analysis, informed by critical realism, explored personal holistic accounts and networks of support. Analysis of 34 interviews conducted with 10 people with lived experience, 7 carers and 17 healthcare professionals revealed extensive 'medication work' following discharge. Themes were mapped to a conceptualisation of 'medication work' and a construct of 'situated medicines work' added to reflect wider social and cultural contexts. Health professionals were valued within personal support networks, particularly for people with lived experience, by facilitating medication taking through advice and knowledge, Family, friends, and voluntary organisations played practical and emotional roles 'medication work' roles. Medication safety following mental health hospital discharge relies heavily on support networks and the 'medication work' of patients and carers. Health professionals play a central but variable and contextual, role within these networks. Greater recognition of social support networks and the situated nature of 'medication work' is needed to improve post-discharge medication safety and support in community mental health care.
community mental health · community support · deinstitutionalization · Hospital discharge · Medication adherence · mental health recovery · Social networks · Medication Adherence and Compliance · Mental Health and Patient Involvement · Psychiatric care and mental health services
Role of Social Support in Adolescent Suicidal Ideation and Suicide Attempts
A review of social participation interventions for people with mental health problems
Doing Template Analysis
The Influence of Social Support on Chronic Illness Self-Management
Exploring Medicines Optimisation and Safety in the Community Following Mental Health Hospital Discharge
Fraudulent Online Survey Respondents May Disproportionately Threaten Validity of Research in Small Target Populations
Is it time to abandon care planning in mental health services? A qualitative study exploring the views of professionals, service users and carers
What does safety in mental healthcare transitions mean for service users and other stakeholder groups
From admission to discharge in mental health services
‘Imposter participants’ in online qualitative research, a new and increasing threat to data integrity
Supporting carers to improve patient safety and maintain their well‐being in transitions from mental health hospitals to the community
Post‐discharge medicines management
Understanding patient lived experiences of hospital admission and aftercare following Acute Kidney Injury
The Utility of Template Analysis in Qualitative Psychology Research
Applying critical realism in qualitative research
Lifeworld-led healthcare is more than patient-led care
Social Networks and Health
| Highly cited | No |
|---|