Using films as a psychoeducation tool for patients with schizophrenia: a pilot study using a quasi-experimental pre-post design.
BACKGROUND
Relapses and, subsequently, readmissions are common in patients with schizophrenia. Psychoeducation has been shown to reduce the number and duration of readmissions. Yet, only little more than 20% of psychiatric patients in German speaking countries receive psychoeducation. Among other reasons, costs may be considered too high by hospitals. The objective of the present study was to test the feasibility of a new cost-efficient approach in the psychoeducation of patients with schizophrenia. In this study, films were used to impart knowledge about the illness to inpatients.


METHODS
A total of 113 participants were initially included in the study, eleven of which were not included in the final analyses. Six films about the symptoms, diagnosis, causes, warning signs, treatment of schizophrenia and about the influence of family members and friends were shown in a group setting in the presence of nursing staff. All films combined facts, expert opinions, and personal experiences of peers. As the main outcome criterion of this feasibility pilot study, we measured the effects on knowledge. Secondary outcome measures included compliance, insight into illness, side effects, and quality of life. Data were collected directly after the intervention and about half a year afterwards. The number and the duration of readmissions to the hospital were recorded and compared to the number and duration of prior admissions. Patients were also asked to state their subjective opinion about the films. Main data analyses were done using paired t-tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. Secondary analyses also involved ANOVAs and ANCOVAs.


RESULTS
One hundred and two inpatients were included in the data analyses. Showing the films in the tested setting was shown to be feasible. Knowledge about schizophrenia (p < .001), compliance (ps < .01), insight into illness (p < .01), and quality of life (p < .001) all increased significantly after patients had watched the films and remained stable for at least half a year. A vast majority (84.9%) of the patients found the films to be interesting and informative.


CONCLUSIONS
Using films to educate inpatients about schizophrenia is a feasible method that is cost- and time-efficient and well received by the patients.
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig, Semmelweisstr. 10, D-04103, Leipzig, Germany. vonMaffei@t-online.de.
Christian
C
von Maffei
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig, Semmelweisstr. 10, D-04103, Leipzig, Germany. frauke.goerges@medizin.uni-leipzig.de.
Frauke
F
Görges
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität München, Möhlstr. 26, 81675, München, Germany. w.kissling@lrz.tum.de.
Werner
W
Kissling
Bezirksklinikum Mainkofen, 94469, Deggendorf, Germany. sekr.w.schreiber@mainkofen.de.
Wolfgang
W
Schreiber
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig, Semmelweisstr. 10, D-04103, Leipzig, Germany. christine.rummel-kluge@medizin.uni-leipzig.de.|Forschungszentrum Depression der Stiftung Deutsche Depressionshilfe, Semmelweisstr. 10, 04103, Leipzig, Germany. christine.rummel-kluge@medizin.uni-leipzig.de.
Christine
C
Rummel-Kluge
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005190:Family; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009040:Motion Pictures; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010379:Peer Group; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D055502:Secondary Prevention / Q000379:methods*