Factors affecting the administration of long-acting injectable antipsychotics by psychiatrists in Jakarta, Indonesia

Background: administration of long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIs) can overcome medication non-adherence and improve the outcome in people with schizophrenia. However, the prescription of LAIs by psychiatrists in Jakarta, Indonesia, remains lacking. This study aims to identify several factors that influence the prescribing practices around LAIs by psychiatrists. Methods: This is a qualitative study involving psychiatrists in Jakarta, Indonesia, from March 2020 to March 2021. Subjects were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected through in-depth interviews. The validity of the data in this study was assessed through the triangulation of sources, theories, and researchers. Results: the knowledge and experience related to LAIs, attitudes and perceptions towards LAIs, prescribing patterns, persuasion methods, availability, price, effectiveness, and side effects of LAIs, health insurance, and factors related to patients and their families were found to influence the prescription of LAIs. Conclusion: factors related to healthcare providers, healthcare systems, patients, and drugs are interrelated in influencing the prescription of LAIs. Psychiatrists need education and training related to LAIs. To clarify the findings in the study, further research is needed regarding the relationship between attitudes, perceptions, knowledge, and experience with the prescribing practices around LAIs by psychiatrists.