In Sweden, a psychiatry reform, aimed at improving the living conditions of the psychiatrically disabled, came into force in 1995. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of the reform by investigating quality of life and standard of living 2 years later in a randomly selected group of people with longstanding psychiatric disability. Self-ratings and interviews were conducted in a study group and a control group. The study group consisted of 19 women and 18 men (mean age 46.1 years) diagnosed with neurosis, schizophrenia or affective disorder. The control group consisted of 19 women and 17 men (mean age 48.7 years). Self-rated quality of life was significantly poorer in the study group (P < 0.0001, unpaired t-test), and so was housing (P < 0.001, test of similar proportions in independent samples). We found no significant positive correlation between subjective quality of life and standard of living in either group but a significant negative correlation in the control group (P < 0.05; r = 0.40, Pearson correlation coefficient). The results suggest that, in 1997, people with longstanding psychiatric disability still had poorer quality of life than the general population. This may be due to factors other than outward standard of living.
Carlsson I, Fredriksen SO, Gottfries C-G. Quantitative utilization of psychiatric care over 5 years by schizophrenic patients discharged from a major psychiatric hospital. Nord J Psychiatry 1996;50:289-296. Oslo. ISSN 0803-9488. Nord J Psychiatry Downloaded from informahealthcare.com by Nyu Medical Center on 02/06/15 For personal use only. NORD J PSYCHIATRY 50/4 (1996) Nord J Psychiatry Downloaded from informahealthcare.com by Nyu Medical Center on 02/06/15 For personal use only. NORD PSYKIATR TIDSSKR 50/4 (1996) Schizophrenic patients' care utilization 293
There are substantial differences in the sales of benzodiazepines between Swedish regions. In order to determine whether there are consistent differences in the inclination of Swedish doctors to prescribe benzodiazepines depending on region and characteristics of the prescriber, a questionnaire was sent to a stratified random sample of physicians (116 family practitioners, 78 psychiatrists, and 96 private practitioners). The questionnaire contained six case studies in which benzodiazepine treatment was suggested and two case studies concerning change of benzodiazepine dosage. There were significant differences (p < 0.05) in the inclination to prescribe benzodiazepines depending on both region and the physician's age in two cases and the physician's speciality and gender in one case each. Psychiatrists and female physicians were, in general, less inclined to prescribe benzodiazepines. In spite of higher sales of benzodiazepines in Göteborg, physicians there had a lower inclination to prescribe benzodiazepines compared with physicians working in regions with lower prescription rates.
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