The new approach: psychosocial functioning as a necessary outcome criterion for therapeutic success in schizophrenia.
OBJECTIVE
Although in the past most attention was paid to psychopathology, these days outcome parameters such as cognitive and occupational performance, emotional stability, quality of life and psychosocial functioning are being recognized as important determinants of treatment success. Instead of only reducing the symptoms, therapy with antipsychotics must attain higher goals such as remission and recovery today.


RESULTS
The Psychosocial Performance Scale offers a validated, reliable and operational tool to assess the psychosocial functioning of patients during the course of treatment as well as in the acute state. The Mini-ICF-P might be a similar instrument for measuring psychosocial functioning.


CONCLUSIONS
In the future, medication and non-medication treatment strategies will also be judged by the ability to improve the psychosocial functioning of patients with schizophrenia, as measured by the Personal and Social Performance scale and the Mini-ICF-P.
Juckel
Georg
G
Department of Psychiatry, Ruhr University Bochum, LWL University Hospital, Bochum, Germany. georg.juckel@wkp-lwl.org
Morosini
Pier Luigi
PL
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D011584:Psychology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D012919:Social Behavior
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents