From predictions to evidence: Treatment compliance, disease progression and social compliance of patients with schizophrenia in the COVID-19 pandemic

Civan Kahve A., Kaya H., Darben Y., Gul Cakil A., Goka E.

Perspectives in Psychiatric Care, vol.57, no.4, pp.1991-1998, 2021 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 57 Issue: 4
  • Publication Date: 2021
  • Doi Number: 10.1111/ppc.12824
  • Journal Name: Perspectives in Psychiatric Care
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Psycinfo
  • Page Numbers: pp.1991-1998
  • Keywords: antipsychotics, COVID-19, schizophrenia, social compliance, treatment compliance
  • Gazi University Affiliated: No

Abstract

Purpose: This study explored how patients with schizophrenia were provided with social support and treatment compliance during the pandemic. Design and Methods: A total of 396 patients with schizophrenia and their relatives were interviewed by telephone calls. Findings: Multiple antipsychotic use and depot antipsychotics were not superior in preventing relapse. A total of 70.2% of the patients wanted to meet with their psychiatrist online but only 7.1% of them were reached online. A total of 59% of patients were able to take their medication thanks to the extension of their drug prescriptions. Practice Implications: Active inclusion of telepsychiatry applications in clinical practice is necessary for patients with schizophrenia. Government policies developed for treatment compliance seem important.