Do patients with schizophrenia wish to be involved in decisions about their medical treatment?
OBJECTIVE
Little is known about the desire of patients with schizophrenia to be involved in medical decisions affecting their treatment.


METHODS
The authors administered the Autonomy Preference Index to 122 inpatients with schizophrenia. In addition, the patients filled out the Drug Attitude Inventory. Sociodemographic data and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale ratings were available for all patients.


RESULTS
The patients expressed a desire for shared decision making that was slightly greater than that of primary care patients. Negative attitudes toward medical treatment and younger age were associated with a higher desire for participation.


CONCLUSIONS
It is important to meet the participation needs of patients who are dissatisfied with their psychiatric treatment.
Hamann
Johannes
J
Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Möhlstrasse 26, 81675 München, Germany. j.hamann@lrz.tum.de
Cohen
Rudolf
R
Leucht
Stefan
S
Busch
Raymonde
R
Kissling
Werner
W
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000523:psychology*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D010555:Personality Inventory; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011594:Psychometrics; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents