301. Effective implementation of a structured psychoeducation programme among caregivers of patients with schizophrenia in the community.
- Author
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Paranthaman V, Satnam K, Lim JL, Amar-Singh HS, Sararaks S, Nafiza MN, Ranjit K, and Asmah ZA
- Abstract
Background: Psychoeducation has shown promising benefits in managing patients with schizophrenia. In Malaysia, the use of psychoeducation is rather limited and its impact indeterminate., Aims: To assess the effectiveness of a structured psychoeducation programme for the community in improving caregiver knowledge, decreasing caregivers' burden, reducing patients' readmission and defaulter follow up rates., Method: In a controlled interventional study, 109 caregivers were included, 54 and 55 in the intervention and control groups respectively. Caregivers were assessed at baseline, 3 and 6 months post-intervention for knowledge and burden. Patients were monitored for relapse and defaulting follow up in the clinic., Results: Caregivers in the intervention group showed significant improvement in knowledge, reduction in burden in assistance in daily living (severity) and a reduced defaulter rate was seen in the patients' follow up., Conclusion: The findings shows that structured psychoeducation programme among caregivers has the potential to improve outcome of care for patients with schizophrenia., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2010
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