Jette Møllerhøj1, Liv Os Stølan1, Anette Erdner2, Berith Hedberg3, Katja Stahl4, Jesper Riise5, Erik Jedenius6, Marit B Rise7. 1. Competence Centre for Forensic Psychiatry, Mental Health Centre Sct. Hans, Roskilde, Denmark. 2. Department of Health Care Sciences, Ersta Sköndal Bräcke University, Stockholm, Sweden. 3. IMPROVE Research Group, School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden. 4. Medical Department, Janssen Cilag AS Norway, Oslo, Norway. 5. Medical Department, Janssen Cilag AS Denmark, Birkerød, Denmark. 6. Medical Department, Janssen Cilag AS Sweden, Stockholm, Sweden. 7. Department of Mental Health, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To illuminate user experiences of schizophrenia, reasons for receiving antipsychotic medication, and encounters with mental health services. DESIGN AND METHODS: 24 semistructured qualitative research interviews with schizophrenia patients treated with 3-monthly paliperidone palmitate across Scandinavia were synthesized in qualitative content analysis. FINDINGS: Participants describe considerable challenges in everyday functioning. Simultaneously, they rate their current mental and physical well-being high and seem satisfied with their lives. These pathways indicate personal recovery. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The participants emphasize the importance of trustful relations with healthcare professionals, therapeutic conversations, antipsychotic medication in a 3-monthly formulation, and support from relatives.
PURPOSE: To illuminate user experiences of schizophrenia, reasons for receiving antipsychotic medication, and encounters with mental health services. DESIGN AND METHODS: 24 semistructured qualitative research interviews with schizophreniapatients treated with 3-monthly paliperidone palmitate across Scandinavia were synthesized in qualitative content analysis. FINDINGS:Participants describe considerable challenges in everyday functioning. Simultaneously, they rate their current mental and physical well-being high and seem satisfied with their lives. These pathways indicate personal recovery. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The participants emphasize the importance of trustful relations with healthcare professionals, therapeutic conversations, antipsychotic medication in a 3-monthly formulation, and support from relatives.