[Caregivers' views of the treating psychiatrists: coping resource or additional burden?].
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed at investigating how caregivers of schizophrenic patients perceive the contact with mental health professionals and which are the key factors for their satisfaction or dissatisfaction.


METHODS
42 in-depth interviews were analysed with a view to discover the caregivers' experiences with psychiatric treatment.


RESULTS
The analysis of the interview data showed three fundamental areas in which caregivers perceive the contact with psychiatrists as supportive or troublesome: 1. the information about the disease and the treatment, 2. the long-term cooperation with the caregivers, and 3. the general way of behaving towards the caregivers and the patients. Caregivers' attitudes towards psychiatry are strongly influenced by positive and negative experiences they have had in these three fields.


CONCLUSIONS
The widespread criticism of caregivers is caused by dissatisfaction with central areas of psychiatric practice. Optimal treatment and consulting conditions, from the caregivers' perspective, can only be approximately achieved. However, psychiatrists, patients, and caregivers should stay in close contact in order to meet the needs of the caregivers, such as being informed, being taken seriously and being involved in the treatment.
Jungbauer
Johannes
J
Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie, Universität Leipzig, Switzerland. jungbj@medizin.uni-leipzig.de
Wittmund
Bettina
B
Angermeyer
Matthias C
MC
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D011570:Psychiatry; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000628:therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology