A Mental Health Initiative to Enhance Schizophrenia Treatment Efficacy

Abstract

Improving patient outcomes while containing costs can be a challenging goal to achieve. This article describes the initiatives undertaken by one mental health department to improve medication adherence among patients with schizophrenia by increasing psychoeducation, psychosocial services, and use of long-acting injectable antipsychotic agents. Achievement of this objective depended on a sustained departmental education program. The successful clinical outcome also significantly reduced the hospitalization and costs.