A randomized controlled study of two styles of group patient education about schizophrenia.
OBJECTIVE
The therapeutic specificity of patient education about schizophrenia was investigated in a randomized controlled study comparing the effects of two styles of group educational intervention.


METHODS
Thirty-three adult inpatients with schizophrenia were assigned in a stratified random manner either to an experimental patient education group that used a didactic format to cover a range of topics on the characteristics and treatment of schizophrenia (N = 16) or to a control group in which participants discussed their subjective experiences with schizophrenia and its treatment (N = 17). Before and after the group interventions, participants responded to measures of knowledge about schizophrenia, insight into illness, and cognitions about medication intake.


RESULTS
The two groups did not differ significantly in postintervention scores on measures.


CONCLUSIONS
The benefits of patient education may not be due to specific active therapeutic educational ingredients but may be due instead to the presence of nonspecific treatment effects.
Ascher-Svanum
H
H
Psychiatry Service, Roudebush Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA. ascher-svanum.haya@indianapolis.va.gov
Whitesel
J
J
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000534:rehabilitation*