Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists expert consensus statement for the treatment, management and monitoring of the physical health of people with an enduring psychotic illness.

OBJECTIVE

To use expert consensus to inform the development of policy and guidelines for the treatment, management and monitoring of the physical health of people with an enduring psychotic illness.

METHOD

The Delphi method was used. A systematic search of websites, books and journal articles was conducted to develop a 416-item survey containing strategies that health professionals should use to treat, manage and monitor the physical health of people with an enduring psychotic illness. Three panels of Australian experts (55 clinicians, 21 carers and 20 consumers) were recruited and independently rated the items over three rounds, with strategies reaching consensus on a priori-defined levels of importance written into the expert consensus statement.

RESULTS

The participation rate for the clinicians across all three rounds was 65%, with consumers and carers only completing one round due to high endorsement rates. Finally, 386 strategies were endorsed as essential or important by one or all panels. The endorsed strategies provided information on engagement and collaborative partnerships; clinical governance; risk factors, morbidity and mortality in people with enduring psychotic illness; assessment, including initial and follow-up assessments; barriers to care; strategies to improve care of people with enduring psychotic illness; education and training; treatment recommendations; medication side effects; and the role of health professionals.

CONCLUSION

The consensus statement is intended to be used by health professionals, people with an enduring psychotic illness and their families and carers. The next step needed is an implementation strategy by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists and other stakeholders.