Family and patient psychoeducation for the reduction of relapse in individuals with schizophrenia

Abstract

Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe and heterogeneous psychiatric disorder which globally affects millions of patients and their family members. The prognosis and pharmacological management of schizophrenia is generally unpredictable due to several adverse implications and ineffectiveness of such treatment which emphasises the importance of incorporating psychosocial therapies. In view of these inadequacies in the routine treatment of schizophrenia, this Evidence- Based dissertation examines the research question: ‘Is Family and Patient Psychoeducation effective in reducing relapses in individuals suffering from schizophrenia?’ The following PEO Framework was developed in order to address this research question. The population (P) were individuals suffering from schizophrenia. The exposure (E) being investigated was Family and Patient Psychoeducation and the Outcome (O) being studied was the reduction in relapses amongst the patients. A set of inclusion and exclusion criterions were applied in the literature search and selection of studies. The eligibility criteria included: studies published in English between the year 2000 and 2019 which directly address the PEO Question. All age groups, genders and ethnic groups were eligible however, articles selected only included adults. Studies which failed to meet the eligibility criteria were excluded. Scientifically unreliable studies which failed to provide an in-depth follow up after the intervention were also excluded. The six studies deemed to be most relevant include: two meta-analyses, three Randomised Controlled Trials and one Cohort study. The CASP Tools and AMSTAR-2 were utilised in order to critically appraise the selected studies. Upon reviewing the findings of each key study and answering the PEO Question it was consistently evident that Family and Patient Psychoeducation is effective at reducing relapses in schizophrenia patients. These findings were evaluated with respect to the strengths and limitations present in the selected studies which might have affected the statistical significance of a few outcomes. Further improved research is recommended with the purpose of standardizing family and patient psychoeducation in the care-plan of individuals suffering from schizophrenia. This includes the development of standardised protocols and frameworks. In order to implement this Evidence-Based practice in Malta, further local studies should be conducted with the aim of homogenously implementing family and patient psychoeducation in the routine management of schizophrenia patients.