Improving Medication Adherence in Chronic Psychiatric Inpatients: A Quasi-Experimental Pilot Study of a Group Social Work Community Reintegration Intervention

Medication non-adherence is a persistent challenge in psychiatric care, often leading to relapse, repeated hospitalizations, and a diminished quality of life for patients. This quasi-experimental pilot study illustrates a structured psychoeducational group intervention facilitated by a psychiatric social worker in an acute inpatient ward in Tehran, Iran. Sixteen patients with severe psychiatric disorders were randomly assigned to intervention (n = 8) and control (n = 8) groups. After assessing individual needs, the intervention group engaged in eight sessions adapted from the Community Reintegration Program (CRP), exploring medication benefits, side-effect management, stress coping, and relapse warning signs. Qualitative tools, including self-report cards, sociograms, and progress charts, captured vivid changes in group processes. Participants showed improved adherence, greater insight, and stronger cohesion, highlighting how brief, recovery-focused group work can transform dynamics and support real-world practice in acute settings.