ABSTRACT
You will encounter brain-injured patients who are taking medications (drugs) for various physical and psychological problems – for example, for fits (seizures), Parkinson’s disease or depression. You will also encounter patients who require medications, but are not currently taking them. This may be due to a lack of resources, such as doctors, or a lack of medications themselves. Cultural belief systems and traditional medical practices will also influence the situation. Given that brain-injured patients can often have reduced insight, they may be unaware of their neurological and/or psychological problems that require medicinal intervention. In addition, families may not attribute patients’ problems to the brain injury. Some patients and their families who have little education may also be unaware of the purpose and benefits of taking medications.
