Schizophrenia in general practice: a national survey of general practitioners in Ireland

• Published in: Irish journal of medical science Vol. 174; no. 3; pp. 38 - 42
• Main Authors: Gavin, B, Cullen, W, O'Donoghue, B, Ascencio-Lane, J C, Bury, G, O'Callaghan, E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ireland 01.07.2005
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Chronic Disease; Cross-Sectional Studies; Family Practice - statistics & numerical data; Female; Health Care Surveys; Humans; Ireland; Male; Middle Aged; Practice Patterns, Physicians' - statistics & numerical data; Primary Health Care; Referral and Consultation - statistics & numerical data; Schizophrenia - drug therapy; Surveys and Questionnaires; Ireland
• ISSN: 0021-1265; 1863-4362
• DOI: 10.1007/BF03169146

Chronic schizophrenia is challenging to manage in primary care. We sought to establish the views of General Practitioners about managing patients with chronic schizophrenia in primary care. A cross-sectional, postal survey questionnaire of a randomly selected sample of 20% of GPs was carried out. Most GPs (97.2%) have at least one person with schizophrenia attending their practice. A substantial number of GPs (22.2%) treat cases of schizophrenia without specialist input following an initial referral to psychiatric services. Almost all (88.7%) advised patients who had experienced multiple relapses to remain on medication indefinitely. One third of GPs reported that they always experience difficulties managing patients with schizophrenia in their practice. Non-adherence with prescribed medication and loss to follow-up were the commonest impediments to treatment encountered. GPs require appropriate back up from specialist services to enable their management of chronic schizophrenia.