OBJECTIVE: To understand the interaction between the patients with bipolar affective disorder (BAD) and the outpatient health care team regarding medication therapy from the perspective of the patients and their family members. METHODS: This was a grounded theory qualitative study using symbolic interactionism method. Fourteen patients with BAD from an outpatient clinic and 14 family members participated in the study. Interviews and participant observation were used to collect the data. RESULTS: Three categories emerged from the data: identifying inaccuracy in the medication orientation, feeling the need of being welcomed by the health care team, and perceiving the need for individualize care. CONCLUSION: There is a need for the implementation of health care services that welcome patients and provide individualized care to facilitate coping strategies with the disease process.
Bipolar disorder; Patient satisfaction; Drug administration schedule