Medication maintenance of chronic schizophrenic out-patients by a psychiatric clinical pharmacist: 10-year follow-up study.
A psychiatric clinical pharmacist, acting as a primary clinician under the supervision of the attending psychiatrist, monitored the medication for 14 chronic schizophrenic out-patients over a 10-year period. Successful treatment resulted in a decreased rate of rehospitalization, shorter length of hospital stay, a decrease in total neuroleptic dosage, significantly fewer medication-related side-effects, and improved compliance as compared to the 10-year period prior to entry into the study. Our study suggests that with the expansion of community health services, expanded roles and the use of a clinical pharmacist may contribute significantly to the medication management of chronic schizophrenic out-patients. However, a parallel group study is required to confirm our results.
Dorevitch
A
A
Talbieh Mental Health Center, Jerusalem, Israel.
Aronzon
R
R
Zilberman
L
L
D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003157:Community Pharmacy Services; D003158:Community Psychiatry; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents