Learning Objective #1: 1. Identify outcomes associated with a self-report tool to promote medication adherence.

Learning Objective #2: 2. Examine reliability of self-report of medication taking behavior.

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Nonadherence to psychotropic medications leads to increased symptom severity and higher frequency of hospitalizations with associated social and economic costs. Inexpensive and effective interventions that improve adherence to prescribed, self-administered psychotropic medications are needed. The Monthly Medication Journal (MMJ) was designed to help veterans manage their psychotropic medication-taking behavior. The journal is a paper diary method for veterans to record when they take prescribed medications, note changes in symptoms, and utilize structured worksheets to obtain information related to their mental health. The Transtheoretical Model served as the framework for a pilot study (n=16) to examine the effect of using the journal on 1) medication adherence rates, 2) confidence in taking medications, 3) and stage of change progression at 3, 4, and 9 weeks in a sample of 16 outpatients and residential psychiatric patients on psychiatric medications. A one-group, pre-post test design was used to evaluate medication adherence rates, confidence in taking medications and stage movement across time, using repeated measures analysis of variance. A second pilot study (n=16) with a similar population was conducted to examine the reliability of self-reported medication taking, using data from the MMJ and pill counts. The MMJ is an inexpensive, but comprehensive tool for veterans on psychotropic medications and has the potential for improving symptom management, reducing hospitalizations and healthcare costs.