EFFECTS OF TELE-NURSING INTERVENTION AMONG PATIENTS WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA: AN EVIDENCE BASED

Background: Nonadherence with medication occurs in all chronic disorders. It is a challenge in schizophrenia due to the nature of illness’s association with social isolation, stigma, and substance misuse, lack of insight and cognitive impairment. It increases the risk of relapse, rehospitalization, self-harm, increases inpatient costs, and lowers quality of life. Tele-nursing interventions improve medication adherence, shared decision-making, ensuring that treatment is effective and that side effects are managed, promoting a positive therapeutic alliance and good communication between the physician, nurse and patient. Objective: To systematically evaluate the tele-nursing interventions and their efficiency in schizophrenia patient care. Method: This study was conducted using scientific search engines Cumulative Index of Nursing Allied and Health Literature (CINAHL), OVID, Pubmed, Wiley, Science Direct and PsycINFO database were searched for relevant information from 2010 until 2016. Results: According to the findings that were evaluated within the scope of the systematic review, it was observed that the tele-nursing interventions were telephone calls and text messages used, shown to extend the time spent by schizophrenia patients in society and decrease the duration of days spent at the hospital after rehospitalization. Conclusion: According to this systematic review, the applications of tele-nursing interventions are effective among schizophrenia patients. Keywords: schizophrenia; tele-nursing; adherence; nonadherence