["Knowing--enjoying--better living". A seminar for persons with psychosis to improve their quality of life and reduce their vulnerability].

UNLABELLED

As a result of a recent paradigm change in medicine the improvement of quality of life has become a central goal of treatment next to reducing symptoms. In order to address this demand we designed a new psychoeducational program for outpatients, which -- in contrast to traditional psychoeducation -- attaches as much importance to quality of life topics as it does to illness related topics. The seminar was developed especially in view of the score resources available today. First results of the evaluation are presented.

METHOD

Psychiatrists in the community are encouraged to refer patients suffering from schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorders to this psychoeducational program as an additional component to regular treatment. The program is carried out in 9 group sessions at weekly intervals with 6-8 group members. At the beginning and at the end of the seminar different objective and subjective outcomes were assessed and predictors for seminar success were identified.

RESULTS

98 participants could be included in data analysis. After completing the program the seminar participants had significantly more knowledge about the illness, a significantly better quality of life and significantly more competence and control. Furthermore there were changes in the illness concept: prejudices about medication decreased, confidence in medication increased, and beliefs about susceptibility to illness and to relapse increased.

CONCLUSIONS

First experiences with a psychoeducational seminar for persons with psychosis, putting equal stress on disease related and quality of life topics are encouraging, but require further confirmation through a randomised controlled trial.