title: Stigma in patients with schizophrenia receiving community mental health care: a review of qualitative studies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this review is to identify consistent themes among the qualitative literature on stigma as experienced by patients with schizophrenia receiving community mental health care. With the treatment focus of schizophrenia nowadays shifting more and more towards community-based mental health care, professionals need to be aware of the increased vulnerability of their clients in their social environment as a result of stigma towards their disease. In-depth knowledge on stigma is critical in order to offer a dignifying community mental health care.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic search of the qualitative literature in Web of Science, PubMed, PsycINFO and Francis was performed to review the subjective experiences and ideas on stigma in outpatients with schizophrenia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three major themes were identified in 18 studies and need to be taken into consideration when implementing an adequate community mental health care: (i) the continuing existence of stigma inherent in the health care setting, (ii) the importance of relational aspects of stigma encounters in daily life and (iii) the significance of the behavioural aspects related to previous stigma experiences and beliefs among patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite much effort in community treatment, patients still experience stigma and discrimination. Community mental health care professionals should not only be aware of structural problems in mental health care, but should also pay considerable attention towards the relational and behavioural aspects in their clients' life concerning stigma. Furthermore, they have the crucial role in the community to raise awareness about stigma in order to increase their clients' acceptance in society.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, LUCAS - Centre for Care Research and Consultancy, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium, annelien.mestdagh@med.kuleuven.be.
authors.forename: Annelien
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mestdagh
authors.forename: Bart
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hansen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011287:Prejudice; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000628:therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D057545:Social Stigma; D013240:Stereotyping