[Prevention of relapse in schizophrenia is discontinued too soon. Many colleagues make this mistake!].
OBJECTIVE
The recommendations given by general practitioners in the treatment of schizophrenia were investigated empirically and compared with those given by psychiatrists as well as with the accepted standards for the prophylactic treatment of schizophrenic psychoses.


METHODS
In an interview based on case reports, 64 randomly selected general practitioners in private practice were asked 6 questions on the treatment of schizophrenic psychoses.


RESULTS
75% of the general practitioners recommend a duration of prophylactic measures that is significantly shorter than that recommended by international standards, and also significantly shorter than that recommended by psychiatrists. This undertreatment correlates with an overestimation of the risk of side effects and--at least in first-time patients--an underestimation of the relapse risk.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite a number of significant differences between general practitioners and psychiatrists, both groups fall far short of international treatment standards in terms of recommended duration of prophylaxis, both underestimate the relapse risk and overestimate the risk of side effects. Possible approaches to improving the quality of relapse prevention in schizophrenia are, for example, joint educational activities for family doctors and psychiatrists, and the establishment and implementation of joint treatment guidelines.
Seemann
U
U
Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technischen Universität München. Ute.Seemann@lrz.tum.de
Kissling
W
W
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005194:Family Practice; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D010348:Patient Care Team; D012008:Recurrence; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents