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Staff perception on reduction of medication in patients with chronic schizophrenia

Division of Psychiatry and Psychology, UMDS, Guy's Hospital, London SE1 9RT

^* Correspondence

This exploratory study assessed staff perceptions to the reduction of maintenance neuroleptic medication in patients with chronic schizophrenia living in a long-stay hospital. Ten in-patients were assessed at regular times over six months. In addition to the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), data were obtained from nursing staff on patients' ward behaviour (Ward Behaviour Interview Schedule, WBIS), clinical global opinion (CGI) and staff reaction (SR) to the reduction of medication plan. The average decrease of BPRS and WBIS was not related to keyworker's clinical global impression. The SR increased against the reduction of medication over the study period (P<0.05). Staff perceptions in the treatment of patients with chronic schizophrenia and their possible influence on prescribed doses should be taken into consideration in addition to psychopathology and clinical symptoms.