We Should Improve Personalization of Management in Patients with a Diagnosis of Schizophrenia

Journal of Clinical Medicine

Alfonso Tortorella¹ 

[1] Department of Psychiatry, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy;

关键词: schizophrenia;    diagnosis;    negative symptoms;    cognitive function;    social skills training;    physical comorbidities;   

DOI  :  10.3390/jcm11010184

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

The current management of patients with schizophrenia is marked by a lack of personalization. After the diagnosis is made, a second-generation antipsychotic is usually prescribed based on the current clinician’s preferences, sometimes accompanied by a psychosocial intervention which is typically not evidence-based and not targeted to the specific needs of the individual patient. In this opinion paper, some steps are outlined that could be taken in order to address this lack of personalization. A special emphasis is laid on the clinical characterization of the patient who has received a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Considerations are put forward concerning the assessment of the negative dimension in ordinary clinical practice, which is often neglected; the evaluation of cognitive functioning using a simple test battery which requires limited professional training and takes no more than 15 min to administer; the evaluation of social functioning using a validated instrument focusing on personal care skills, interpersonal relationships, social acceptability, activities, and work skills; and the assessment of the unmet needs of the person (including practical, social, and emotional needs, and existential or personal recovery). The implications of the assessment of these domains for the formulation of the management plan are discussed.

【 授权许可】

Unknown