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.