National Audit of Schizophrenia report published

National Audit of Schizophrenia report published: A NICE guideline on the treatment and management of schizophrenia in adults (NICE CG82) was published in 2009. The aim of this audit, the first of its kind, was to examine how far this guideline is being implemented and to stimulate improvements in the care and treatment of adults in the community with a diagnosis of schizophrenia.
 
One of the aims of the audit was to measure practice in the prescribing of antipsychotic medications. Some of they key findings highlighted regarding pharmacological treatments were as follows: 

• Only 62% of service users reported that the information about their medication was in a form they could properly understand.
• While clinical staff reported that they thought they had involved service users in the choice of medication in 62% of cases, only 41% of service users felt their views were taken into account.
• Appropriate treatment guidelines are being followed for the majority of service users. ...

Royal College of Psychiatrists