A randomized, controlled trial of a brief interventional package for schizophrenic out‐patients

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Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the impact on outcome of a simple educational intervention in schizophrenic patients at risk of relapse. Method: At discharge, 114 schizophrenic patients with at least one previous episode were assigned randomly to a simple educational intervention which had no resource implications, or standard care. Results: The intervention failed to improve outcome. While insight and treatment attitudes improved, suicidal ideation increased. Systematic management of treatment‐emergent adverse effects offered no benefits, although incapacitation from extrapyramidal side‐effects at discharge predicted relapse. Conclusion: There are limits to which psychoeducational interventions can be simplified without loss of effectiveness in terms of relapse prevention in schizophrenia. Enhanced insight may be associated with increased suicidal ideation.