Management of chronic schizophrenic outpatients.

Mental health practitioners can effectively manage outpatient care of chronic schizophrenic patients by regulating antipsychotic and ancillary maintenance medications; providing supportive "psychotherapy"; advising on programs to fulfill basic needs such as housing, vocational rehabilitation, and a social network; engaging the patient's family along with the patient in a partnership to maximize functioning; and encouraging appropriate social interactions. When done skillfully, this outpatient practice can be among the most rewarding in psychiatry.