Case management for schizophrenia living in community

Abstract

Objective To develop the community care for schizophrenic patients by case management.

Materials and methods There were 13 schizophrenic patients living in ampur Thanyaburi, Prathumthanee province invited to participate in this study during 3 March
to 30 May 2008. This research was designed as a parcipatory action model for a continuous care and rehabilitation for individual case according to oneûs mental health status.  The care plan were divided into 5 steps i.e. 1) an assessment of patientûs capability 2) patients and care-giversû need analysis 3) intervention plan 4) implement  and 5) an evaluation by the instrument consisted of the patientûs  capability assessment, satisfaction of patients and care givers.  Descriptive statistic was analyzed, and the differences score of patientûs capability were calculated by Wilcoxon sign rank test.

Results About half of patients had severe level of behavior (low capability score). After the case management intervention, most cases had increase capability scores
significantly. All cases and care givers had a high satisfaction level. No one was readmitted to hospital after 6 month follow-up.

Conclusion  Case management for schizophrenia living in community by multiclisciplinary care team could empower capabitiy and self care in patients and their family and reduce hospitalization.