Development of a Community-Based Network of Care Model for Schizophrenia Patients

Abstract

This research and development aims to: 1) develop a community-based network model for schizophrenia care and 2) study the outcomes of this model on schizophrenia symptoms, life skills, and community network partner collaboration. The research was conducted in two phases: Phase 1 involved developing the care network model through focus group discussions and content analysis. The sample was purposively selected and included 16 caregivers of schizophrenia patients and 17 community network partners. Phase 2 examined the outcomes of using the model through a single-group pre- and post-experimental design. The sample included 10 patients and their families and 45 community network partners. Research instruments included semi-structured interviews, mental status assessments, life skills assessments, and participation questionnaires. Content validity was found to be between .90 and 1.00, and Cronbach's alpha coefficient of reliability was between .94 and .99. Data analysis used descriptive statistics, content analysis and paired t-tests.

The research findings indicate that 1) the community-based network model for schizophrenia care has two phases: (1) the emergency phase and (2) the maintenance or stabilization phase. Network partners include family, village head or assistant, police, monks, public health personnel, district officer, local administrative organization, and emergency medical services. The emergency phase assesses problems and refers patients for treatment, while the maintenance or stabilization phase implements the activities developed in the model. 2) After using the network care model, patients with schizophrenia showed fewer psychiatric symptoms, better life skills, and network partners were more involved than before using the model, with statistically significant differences at the .05 level. (t=3.32,
p = 0.009, t =-2.84, p = 0.01, t = -27.69, p = 0.00). Therefore, the community-based network model for schizophrenia care can be scaled up to other areas.