BACKGROUND: General practitioners (GPs) have an important role in the care of patients with chronic schizophrenia and of those in the early phases of this disorder. AIMS: To obtain information about the number of patients in the early and chronic stages of schizophrenia seen in general practice; the needs and attitudes of GPs, their diagnostic knowledge concerning early phases of schizophrenia and their knowledge and practice concerning treatment of patients with first-episode and multi-episode schizophrenia. METHOD: A postal survey was conducted among randomly selected GPs in Switzerland. RESULTS: A total of 1089 GPs responded to the survey. Early psychosis had a low prevalence in general practice, and GPs expressed a wish for specialised, low-threshold referral services. Diagnostic and treatment knowledge showed inconsistencies. Most GPs said they would treat first-episode schizophrenia with antipsychotics, but only a third recommended maintenance treatment after a first episode of schizophrenia that would conform with international recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: Easily accessible, low-threshold referral services are pivotal in supporting GPs in the management and treatment of emerging schizophrenia in primary healthcare patients.
BACKGROUND: General practitioners (GPs) have an important role in the care of patients with chronic schizophrenia and of those in the early phases of this disorder. AIMS: To obtain information about the number of patients in the early and chronic stages of schizophrenia seen in general practice; the needs and attitudes of GPs, their diagnostic knowledge concerning early phases of schizophrenia and their knowledge and practice concerning treatment of patients with first-episode and multi-episode schizophrenia. METHOD: A postal survey was conducted among randomly selected GPs in Switzerland. RESULTS: A total of 1089 GPs responded to the survey. Early psychosis had a low prevalence in general practice, and GPs expressed a wish for specialised, low-threshold referral services. Diagnostic and treatment knowledge showed inconsistencies. Most GPs said they would treat first-episode schizophrenia with antipsychotics, but only a third recommended maintenance treatment after a first episode of schizophrenia that would conform with international recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: Easily accessible, low-threshold referral services are pivotal in supporting GPs in the management and treatment of emerging schizophrenia in primary healthcare patients.
Authors: Andor E Simon; Sabrina Jegerlehner; Thomas Müller; Katja Cattapan-Ludewig; Peter Frey; Marcus Grossenbacher; Erich Seifritz; Daniel Umbricht Journal: Br J Gen Pract Date: 2010-09 Impact factor: 5.386
Authors: Christoph U Correll; Marta Hauser; Andrea M Auther; Barbara A Cornblatt Journal: J Child Psychol Psychiatry Date: 2010-02-26 Impact factor: 8.982
Authors: Joanna L Norton; Emmanuelle Rivoiron-Besset; Michel David; Isabelle Jaussent; Cindy Prudhomme; Jean-Philippe Boulenger; Anthony H Mann; Karen A Ritchie; Delphine Capdevielle Journal: Prim Care Companion CNS Disord Date: 2011
Authors: Marian J T Oud; Jan Schuling; Cees J Slooff; Klaas H Groenier; Janny H Dekker; Betty Meyboom-de Jong Journal: BMC Fam Pract Date: 2009-05-06 Impact factor: 2.497