A community psychiatric programme for Soweto. Report on a pilot study.

A pilot study was done on 50 patients in a community psychiatric programme in Soweto. The organization was based on the principles of mental health consultation and the treatment was based on primary, secondary and tertiary prevention. The role of the multidisciplinary staff is outlined and the role of maintenance pharmacotherapy for the ex-schizophrenic patient is stressed. The efficacy of the programme could be improved by an increase in the staff-patient ratio.