Perspectives on schizophrenia: A survey of user, family carer and professional views regarding effective care

Abstract

Providing effective care for people with schizophrenia living in the community is one of the central challenges for community based mental health services. However, little progress has yet been made to develop comprehensive interventions which take into account the expressed wishes of the key groups. This paper reports the results of a survey using a combination of structured questionnaires, individual and group discussions with users, family carers and mental health professionals regarding the most important elements of such packages of care. There was a good general consensus, but some differences in the priorities as seen by each group. Users gave more emphasis to practical help (housing, finance, occupation) whereas the professionals emphasised treatment and symptom monitoring. Families felt that everything was important. There were also differences within the professional group between psychiatrists and other members of community mental health teams. The qualitative data supported these quantitative findings. The results are discussed in terms of their implications for service delivery and multiprofessional team work.