title: The primary care of patients with schizophrenia: a search for good practice.
abstract: The proportion of patients with schizophrenia who lose contact with the secondary services is between 25% and 40%. The general practitioner remains the health care professional most likely to be in contact with such patients. A consensus group of 14 members met on four occasions, reviewed the relevant literature, and developed good-practice guidelines in five areas: establishing a register and organizing regular reviews; comprehensive assessments; information and advice for patients and carers; indications for involving specialist services; and crisis management. The guidelines are presented and their supporting evidence summarized.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Psychiatry, St George's Hospital Medical School, London.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Burns
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kendrick
mesh_terms: D003245:Consensus Statements as Topic; D005194:Family Practice / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000628:therapy*; D006113:United Kingdom