The schizophrenia care management program for family caregivers of Chinese patients with schizophrenia

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study tested the effectiveness of a schizophrenia care management program for family caregivers of Chinese patients with schizophrenia in Hong Kong. METHODS: A multisite controlled trial was conducted with 92 patient-caregiver dyads. They were randomly assigned to either the schizophrenia care management program or to usual care. The patients' symptoms, functioning, and length of rehospitalization and their families' perceived social support, expressed emotion, and functioning were measured at recruitment and at one month and 15 months after the intervention. RESULTS: Compared with families in the usual care group, families in the schizophrenia care management program reported significantly greater improvements in families' and patients' functioning and caregivers' perceived social support and decreases in the number and length of patients' rehospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: The findings provide evidence that the multidisciplinary schizophrenia care program can improve the psychosocial functioning of patients and their families and social support of caregivers.