Schizophrenia
About this PSP
This PSP was brought together following an exercise by the University of Swansea to identify uncertainties from patients, carers and clinicians about treatments for schizophrenia, to populate a module on the UK Database of Uncertainties about the Effects of Treatments (UKDUETs). In addition, further uncertainties were identified from research recommendations and other relevant literature.
The Steering Group included representatives from the University of Swansea Medical School, the Cochrane Schizophrenia Group, Hafal, Rethink, the Institute of Psychiatry, the Mental Health Research Network Service Users in Research project and UK DUETs.
The full list consisted of 237 uncertainties. During 2010, the PSP worked with patients, carers and clinicians to rank the long list, resulting in a short list of 26 uncertainties. These were taken to a final priority setting workshop in January 2011.
The Schizophrenia PSP Top 10 was published in January 2011.
Articles and publications
Impact after the Top 10
Key documents
Top 10 priorities
- What is the best way to treat people with schizophrenia that is unresponsive to treatment?
- What training is needed to recognise the early signs of recurrence?
- Should there be compulsory community outpatient treatment for people with severe mental disorders?
- How can sexual dysfunction due to antipsychotic drug therapy be managed?
- What are the benefits of supported employment for people with schizophrenia in terms of quality of life, self esteem, long-term employment prospects and illness outcomes?
- Do the adverse effects of antipsychotic drugs outweigh the benefits?
- What are the benefits of hospital treatment compared with home care for psychotic episodes?
- What are the clinical benefits and cost-effectiveness of monitoring the physical health of people with schizophrenia?
- What are the clinical, social and economic outcomes - including quality of life and the methods and effects of risk monitoring - of treatment by acute day hospitals, assertive outreach teams, in-patient units, and crisis resolution and home treatment teams?
- What interventions could reduce weight gain in schizophrenia?