Treatment Outlines for the Management of Schizophrenia

Abstract

The Quality Assurance Project is developing explicit and detailed treatment outlines for each of the major psychiatric disorders. Three sources of information are used: a meta-analysis of the treatment outcome literature, the opinions of a sample of practising psychiatrists, and the views of a panel of nominated experts. The present outlines report the resulting recommendations for the treatment of schizophrenia. The three sources of information agree that anti-psychotic drugs are the principal treatment during the active phase of the disorder. As schizophrenia is so often a serious and disabling chronic illness, the treatment recommendations stress the need for continuity of care during the post-acute and residual phases in order to prevent relapse and minimise residual deficits. The outlines particularly emphasise the consistent but conservative use of antipsychotic drugs, and the implementation of a specific type of family management program in addition to the customary social interventions.