A meaningful day: integrating psychosocial rehabilitation into community treatment of schizophrenia.

While many of the overt symptoms of schizophrenia may be controlled by medication, the associated psychiatric disability requires ongoing psychosocial rehabilitation and support in the community. The general practitioner can play a crucial role in this rehabilitative process, through encouraging good physical health in the person with schizophrenia; referring the person to a local day program and other psychiatric disability support services; educating the person about the diagnosis and practical self-help; involving families and referring them to support organisations and group therapy programs; and encouraging use of local community facilities and employment training, where appropriate.