Suchergebnisse

Background: Patient-centred medicine improves psychological and physiological functioning in chronic illnesses. Aims: To determine to what extent the patient-centred ethos (as exemplified by research addressing subjective experiences) was incorporated into work presented at major international schizophrenia research forums between 1988 and 2004. Method: Whole population-based, retrospective cohort study using abstracts from the International Congress on Schizophrenia Research and the Biennial Winter Workshop on Schizophrenia ( n = 9,284). Comparative analysis using abstracts from the International Society for the Psychological Treatment of Schizophrenia ( n = 992). Patient-centredness was assessed by determining the number of abstracts that primarily addressed participants' subjective experiences. Results: Research was presented from 50 countries globally. European and North American countries produced 8,573 (92%) of the total. Biological research was the main theme of 6,960 (75%) of the abstracts, with psychosocial research constituting less than 5%. One hundred and eighty three (2%) abstracts from the two main conferences addressed subjective experiences, as did 333 (34%) from the comparative analysis. Conclusions: Between 1988 and 2004 research emanating from North American and European countries, together with biologically orientated research, were the most prevalent perspectives on schizophrenia. It appears that research into the subjective experiences of participants has not been as prevalent as more objective accounts of the disorder, suggesting that this research effort has not been patient-centred.

Background: The concept of patient-centredness is increasingly being incorporated into modern healthcare practice, yet little attention has been given to the development of patient-centred principles in research. Aims: This study aimed to establish convergent validity for a definition of patient-centredness using abstracts from schizophrenia research and to explore the experiences of psychiatrists and service users taking part in research that was designed to be patient-centred. Methods: Mixed methods were used in this community study. Results: Thirteen service users and three psychiatrists took part. Service users rated eight of 60 research abstracts as patient-centred, even though 30 of these had been previously rated as such by psychiatrists. There was some accord between psychiatrist and service user ratings as seven out of eight abstracts were identified by both groups as patient-centred. Process aspects of research were valued by service users, for example, being respected as collaborators. Both groups reported benefits to participation in patient-centred research, such as feeling valued and breaking down barriers between doctor and patient. Conclusions: While there is some agreement between professionals and service users as to what constitutes patient-centred research, other process-related factors are important. Patient-centred research is valued by both service users and doctors and should be incorporated into future studies.