The Effects of a Clinical Care Pathway for Schizophrenia

Abstract

The implementation of a treatment pathway brought about a robust change in process-related variables. The findings of this study furnish no explanation for the observed decline in treatment efficacy.

Patient satisfaction with inpatient psychiatric treatment and its relation to treatment outcome in unipolar depression and schizophrenia

“…Th e psychopharmacological treatment of depressive patients treatment was carried out according to the German national clinical practice guideline for unipolar depression (H ä rter et al 2010). Patients suff ering from schizophrenia were treated according to an implementation of a treatment guideline (Steinacher et al 2012). 94% of patients attended occupational therapy, 76% attended sport therapy, 40% attended art therapy and 24% attended music therapy.…”

The evidence–practice gap in specialist mental healthcare: Systematic review and meta-analysis of guideline implementation studies

“…DS1. The remaining 19 studies [16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34] met the inclusion criteria and were included in the present review. The meta-analysis included six RCTs providing data on the impact of guideline implementation on process outcomes 16,19,23,26,27,31 and three RCTs on patient outcomes.…”

“…The implemented guidelines included clinical practice manuals and evidence-based treatment algorithms, which were developed with a structured methodology that included a consensus group of experts, analysis of the evidence base and clinical input. Fifteen studies 16,17,19,[21][22][23][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33] assessed the impact of multifaceted implementation strategies that included two or more components. All studies implemented the guidelines at a professional level, for example by distribution of educational material, educational meetings, educational outreach visits, reminders and audit and feedback.…”

Less Rather Than More

“…Therefore a practical way for broad implementation via flexible and case-related workflows is required (2). Guideline knowledge alone does not have a remarkable influence on the clinician´s behavior as mentioned in the study (2). Appropriate feedback loops can gain the physician's attention to leaving the pathway recommended by guidelines.…”

“…A high amount of good quality guidelines with a high density of information exists. Therefore a practical way for broad implementation via flexible and case-related workflows is required (2). Guideline knowledge alone does not have a remarkable influence on the clinician´s behavior as mentioned in the study (2).…”