The reliability of compliance assessments performed by doctors and patients during neuroleptic treatment: a comparison of compliance ratings

Objective: To compare compliance assessments made by doctors and patients during neuroleptic drug treatment and to detect any variables explaining the discrepancies between their ratings. Method: Compliance reports regarding neuroleptic medication were collected from 100 in‐patients and out‐patients and from their doctors. Re‐ratings were performed after 1–2 weeks. Compliance ratings were compared with demographic, treatment and symptom‐related variables and with the Attitudes to Neuroleptic Treatment (ANT) questionnaire using logistic regression analysis. Results: The doctors' and patients' compliance ratings showed good test–retest reliability ( r =0.80, doctors; r =0.81, patients) and concordance (79% of the cases within the limits of ±25%‐units deviation). Variables explaining discrepancies between the ratings included female gender, a low level of education, the diagnosis of mania, a high neuroleptic dose and several items from the ANT scale. Conclusion: Manic episodes, negative attitudes to neuroleptic medication and a high‐dose treatment increase the risk for deviating views of compliance in the doctor–patient relationship.