A randomized controlled trial of a private-sector inpatient-initiated psychoeducation program for schizophrenia.
OBJECTIVE
Psychoeducation programs have been demonstrated to reduce relapse and be cost-effective for schizophrenia in academic settings, although this has not been examined in private care inpatient settings.


METHODS
A total of 57 consecutive patients hospitalized for an exacerbation of schizophrenia symptoms were randomly assigned to receive treatment as usual or Schizophrenia Treatment and Education Programs (STEPS), an intensive inpatient-initiated psychoeducation program in a private-sector treatment setting. At six months, 54% of the original sample was reassessed.


RESULTS
Rehospitalization over six months was significantly less frequent among STEPS participants than among usual care participants (20% versus 56%, p=.038, Hedge's g effect size=.76).


CONCLUSIONS
This controlled study demonstrated subsequent reduction of costly rehospitalization among patients randomly assigned to STEPS, although study attrition of 46% over six months may diminish the confidence in the findings. This is the first study to demonstrate effectiveness of inpatient-initiated psychoeducation in private-sector care. Larger, more comprehensive studies are needed to replicate these findings and identify the active components of the intervention yielding these apparent gains.
Vickar
Garry M
GM
Department of Psychiatry, Christian Hospital, 11125 Dunn Rd., Suite 213, St. Louis, MO 63136, USA. gmv7127@bjc.org
North
Carol S
CS
Downs
Dana
D
Marshall
Dianna L
DL
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000193:education*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008923:Missouri; D017149:Private Sector; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000628:therapy*