Asian Journal of Psychiatry
Volume 3, Issue 4 , Pages 206-212, December 2010

Effective implementation of a structured psychoeducation programme among caregivers of patients with schizophrenia in the community

  • V. Paranthaman

      Affiliations

    • Jelapang Health Clinic, Klinik Kesihatan Jelapang, 30020 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +60 5 5269044; fax: +60 5 5284676.
    • ,
  • Kaur Satnam

      Affiliations

    • Psychiatry Department, HBUK Psychiatry Hospital, Malaysia
    • ,
  • Jean-Li Lim

      Affiliations

    • Slim River Health Clinic, Perak, Malaysia
    • ,
  • H.S.S. Amar-Singh

      Affiliations

    • Paediatric Department, Ipoh General Hospital, Ipoh, Malaysia
    • ,
  • Sondi Sararaks

      Affiliations

    • Institute for Health Systems Research, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
    • ,
  • Mat-Nasir Nafiza

      Affiliations

    • Institute Technology MARA University, Selangor, Malaysia
    • ,
  • Kaur Ranjit

      Affiliations

    • Perak State Health Department, Ipoh, Malaysia
    • ,
  • Zainal-Abidin Asmah

      Affiliations

    • Perak State Health Department, Ipoh, Malaysia

Received 2 June 2009; received in revised form 28 March 2010; accepted 8 July 2010. published online 16 August 2011.

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.

Keywords: Schizophrenia, Psychoeducation, Community, Caregiver

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PII: S1876-2018(10)00076-6

doi:10.1016/j.ajp.2010.07.002

Asian Journal of Psychiatry
Volume 3, Issue 4 , Pages 206-212, December 2010

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