1*Professor, Nursing Program, University of Sinú, Cartagena, University of Sinú, Cartagena
2Nursing Program, University of Sinú, Cartagena
3Nursing Program, University of Sinú, Cartagena
4Nursing Program, University of Sinú, Cartagena
5Professor, Nursing Program, University of Sinú, Cartagena
Background: Adherence to psychotropic medications is influenced not only by clinical and pharmacological factors but also by stigma, confidentiality concerns, treatment visibility, and practical barriers related to medication management. These challenges may affect treatment initiation, continuity, and sustained engagement, particularly when medication use is socially sensitive or logistically burdensome. Patient-facing interventions such as pharmacist-led support, telepharmacy, digital tools, refill-related services, and low-frequency treatment approaches may help mitigate some of these barriers.
Objective: To map the existing evidence on stigma- and privacy-related barriers to adherence to psychotropic medications and to identify patient-facing adherence-support strategies that may support treatment continuity and medication management.
Methods: A scoping review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA-ScR principles. Searches were performed in PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, and Web of Science in February 2026. A total of 350 records were identified; after duplicate removal, 120 records were screened, 45 full-text reports were assessed for eligibility, and 26 studies were included in the final synthesis. Findings were synthesized narratively.
Results: The included literature indicates that stigma, fear of disclosure, treatment visibility, refill burden, service access, and regimen complexity may undermine adherence to psychotropic medications. Pharmacist-led interventions, telepharmacy models, digital adherence-support tools, and lower-frequency treatment strategies emerged as potentially relevant approaches to improving treatment continuity. The evidence also suggests that less visible or simplified treatment models may reduce some patient-facing barriers, although findings remain heterogeneous across populations and settings.
Conclusion: Stigma- and privacy-related factors appear to be important yet underexamined determinants of psychotropic medication adherence. Patient-facing adherence-support strategies show promise, but the available evidence remains varied. Further research is needed to strengthen stigma-sensitive and privacy-conscious approaches to psychotropic medication management.
Keywords: psychotropic medication; medication adherence; stigma; privacy; telepharmacy; long-acting injectables; medication management.
How to cite this article: Castellón MD, Moscote MC, Mejía YP, Rodríguez WP, Burgos D, De Alba M. Stigma, Privacy, and Patient-Facing Psychotropic Medication Management: A Scoping Review of Adherence-Support Strategies. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(15s): 124-132. DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.15s.15
Source of support: Nil.
Conflict of interest: None