Development of a Pharmacist-Involved Schizophrenic Patient Care Model in Thepsathit Hospital, Chaiyaphum Province Using a Systematic Review as a Basis

Abstract

Objective: To develop a pharmacist-involved collaborative schizophrenic patient care model in Thep Sathit Hospital, Chaiyaphum Province using systematic review as a basis. Methods: The study was divided into 2 phases. Phase 1 was a systematic review by collecting information from both Thai and international electronic databases from the inception to December 31, 2021. The study retrieved all types of research on interventions in schizophrenia patients by pharmacists, or patient care model with pharmacist involvement that reported the comparison of outcomes with those of a control group or those measured before the intervention. The second phase was group discussion among the personnel involved on the problems and barriers of existing care for schizophrenic patients. The researcher presented the model for schizophrenia patient care with good outcomes identified in the first phase of the study. The group then assessed the feasibility for their implementation in practice and expressed their opinions in resolving the problem of schizophrenia care. Subsequently, the schizophrenic patient care model of Thep Sathit Hospital was formulated. Results: The first phase of the study identified 20 related research including 10 randomized controlled trials (RCT) and 10 non -RCT. Schizophrenic patient model with good outcomes involved both interventions by pharmacists such as pharmaceutical care and the provision of knowledge by using various tools and those by multidisciplinary team. Phase 2 of the study revealed that the elements possible for implements in the hospital included 1) All new patients should have their information recorded in database; 2) Knowledge on drug use, monitoring of adverse drug reactions and appropriate dosage adjustment should be provided in patients with long term medication therapy and 3). In patients with severe symptoms, multidisciplinary team should take care of them with community involvement. Conclusion: Development of schizophrenic patient care model of Thep Sathit Hospital by using systematic review as a basis together with group discussion resulted in new care model for this group of patients. However, the outcomes of the patient care model should be assessed in the future.