Exploring Patient, Caregiver, and Prescriber Preferences for an Injectable Antipsychotic Administered Every 2 Months for the Maintenance Treatment of Schizophrenia: A Multicenter Qualitative Interview Study Conducted in Europe.

PURPOSE

This qualitative study explored patient, caregiver, and prescriber preferences for long-acting injectable (LAI) dosing frequency, and factors influencing preferences for a hypothetical LAI administered once every 2 months for the treatment of schizophrenia.

PATIENT AND METHODS

This single-person interview study recruited people living with schizophrenia, caregivers, and prescribers across France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in which participants were asked about their treatment experiences, views on an ideal treatment, and preferences on LAI dosing frequency. A qualitative analysis of interview transcripts was performed to identify key themes.

RESULTS

Fifteen people living with clinically stable schizophrenia, 11 caregivers, and 13 prescribers were interviewed. When talking about current treatment (a once-monthly LAI), people living with schizophrenia and caregivers expressed mixed views, with some describing treatment as "easy", whilst others described a fear that treatment will stop working or are frustrated with the frequency of appointments. When asked about treatment goals, a common theme was wishing for the person living with schizophrenia to be clinically stable, leading to a reduction in symptoms and emotional outbursts. When asked about an LAI administered once every 2 months, people living with schizophrenia and caregivers expressed positive views, and perceived that such a treatment would be less burdensome than current treatment. Prescribers were open to recommending an LAI given once every 2 months to clinically stable patients, or those expressing a preference for a decreased dosing frequency or for LAIs in general.

CONCLUSION

In this qualitative study, participants expressed overall positive views on a potential transition to an LAI given once every 2 months, due to the advantages of greater freedom and less treatment burden. Selection of a specific LAI should acknowledge individual patient and caregiver preferences regarding formulation and frequency, to ensure that targeted disease management goals are met.