Psychoeducation in schizophrenia--results of a survey of all psychiatric institutions in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
BACKGROUND
Psychoeducation can reduce rehospitalization rates and mental health costs in schizophrenia. The aims of this study were to investigate the percentage of patients and family members participating in psychoeducation in the year 2003 and to evaluate how psychoeducation was conducted.


METHODS
Part I of a 2-part postal survey was sent to the heads of all psychiatric institutions in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland; part II was sent directly to the moderators of psychoeducational groups. Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics.


RESULTS
Psychoeducation was offered in 86% of the responding institutions and in 84% of these for schizophrenia (response quotas: part I, 54%; part II, 55%). A mean of 21% of the patients with schizophrenia and 2% of their family members had taken part in psychoeducation in the responding institutions in the year 2003.


CONCLUSIONS
Many readmissions and thus significant costs to the health system and substantial human suffering could be avoided if more patients and their family members participated in psychoeducation. New approaches to offering more psychoeducation would consist in integration of the entire psychiatric team into psychoeducation and peer-to-peer strategies.
Rummel-Kluge
Christine
C
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Klinikum rechts der Isar der Technischen Universität München, Möhlstrasse 26, 81675 München, Germany. christine.rummel@lrz.tum.de
Pitschel-Walz
Gabriele
G
Bäuml
Josef
J
Kissling
Werner
W
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001317:Austria; D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D005858:Germany; D006306:Health Surveys; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010359:Patient Readmission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012803:Sick Role; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013557:Switzerland; D014600:Utilization Review / Q000706:statistics & numerical data