Psychoeducation for patients with schizophrenia and their families

Expert Rev Neurother. 2008 Jul;8(7):1067-77. doi: 10.1586/14737175.8.7.1067.

Abstract

In this review, the current evidence for the efficacy of psychoeducation, a nonpharmacological treatment strategy in the treatment of patients with schizophrenia and their families, is assessed by summarizing meta-analyses/reviews and important single studies published after the recent meta-analyses. It was found that psychoeducation for patients with schizophrenia and their families can reduce the relapse rates of these patients; long-term family interventions (i.e., with durations of more than 3 months) are particularly helpful. However, there are still unsolved questions in this area. Therefore, future research needs are a further focus of this review; for example, on the questions of how to adapt programs for stable outpatients and their families, and the minimum effective dose of psychoeducation. Finally, new approaches in the area of psychoeducation, such as including quality-of-life issues, offering psychoeducation formats for combined diagnoses, family and patient peer-to-peer programs, and focusing on gender aspects are discussed.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Family*
  • Humans
  • Patient Education as Topic*
  • Psychotherapy / methods*
  • Schizophrenia / therapy*
  • Schizophrenic Psychology