Implementing Evidence-Based Practices for People With Schizophrenia

An abstract published in the July 2009 edition of Schizophrenia Bulletin:

By Robert E. Drake (1,2), Gary R. Bond (3), and Susan M. Essock (4)

1. To whom correspondence should be addressed; Psychiatric Research Center, 2 Whipple Place, Lebanon, NH 03766, tel: 603-448-0263, fax: 603-448-3976, e-mail: Robert.E.Drake@dartmouth.edu
2. Dartmouth Psychiatric Research Center, Dartmouth Medical School, Lebanon, NH
3. Department of Psychology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN
4. Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY
   

Over the last decade, a consensus has emerged regarding a set of evidence-based practices for schizophrenia that address symptom management and psychosocial functioning. Yet, surveys suggest that the great majority of the population of individuals with schizophrenia do not receive evidence-based care. In this article, we review the empirical literature on implementation of evidence-based practices for schizophrenia patients. We first examine lessons learned from implementation studies in general medicine. We then summarize the implementation literature specific to schizophrenia, including medication practices, psychosocial interventions, information technology, and state- and federal-level interventions. We conclude with recommendations for future directions.

Keywords: evidence-based practices / schizophrenia / implementation research

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Posting of this abstract is for the purposes of research into schizophrenia and recovery.