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  • Title: [Prevention of relapse in schizophrenia is discontinued too soon. Many colleagues make this mistake!].
    Author: Seemann U, Kissling W.
    Journal: MMW Fortschr Med; 2000 Feb 03; 142(5):34-8. PubMed ID: 10715937.
    Abstract:
    OBJECTIVE: The recommendations given by general practitioners in the treatment of schizophrenia were investigated empirically and compared with those given by psychiatrists as well as with the accepted standards for the prophylactic treatment of schizophrenic psychoses. METHOD: In an interview based on case reports, 64 randomly selected general practitioners in private practice were asked 6 questions on the treatment of schizophrenic psychoses. RESULTS: 75% of the general practitioners recommend a duration of prophylactic measures that is significantly shorter than that recommended by international standards, and also significantly shorter than that recommended by psychiatrists. This undertreatment correlates with an overestimation of the risk of side effects and--at least in first-time patients--an underestimation of the relapse risk. CONCLUSION: Despite a number of significant differences between general practitioners and psychiatrists, both groups fall far short of international treatment standards in terms of recommended duration of prophylaxis, both underestimate the relapse risk and overestimate the risk of side effects. Possible approaches to improving the quality of relapse prevention in schizophrenia are, for example, joint educational activities for family doctors and psychiatrists, and the establishment and implementation of joint treatment guidelines.
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