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Efective Implementation of a Structured Psychoeducation Programme among Caregivers of Schizophrenia Patients in the Community
1. Promote improved clinical outcomes, satisfaction, and higher rates of recovery
amongst their clients 2.
Feel more supported in their efforts to manage the effects of illness 3.
Build relationships with families 4.
Experience improved cost-benefit ratios For consumers, the practice of family psychoeducation:
1. Helps build a support network for recovery
2. Provides hope
3. Reduces relapse and hospitalisation
4. Improves symptom management
5. Reduces medication dosages
6. Improves social skills and community participation
7. Increases employment, earnings, and career options
8. Strengthens family ties
9. Reduces family conflicts
1.3 Rationale of study
However, the application of family psychoeducation in Malaysia has been rather limited and very recent. In June 2004, the Bahagia Ulu Kinta Hospital Psychoeducation
Team HBUK-PET was initiated to conduct courses to train facilitators who will provide education to clients and their caregivers.
The HBUK-PET programme consists of 5 modules as below: 1.
Understanding your illness 2.
Understanding your treatment 3.
Helping yourself prevent relapses 4.
Avoiding and handling crisis 5.
Healthy lifestyle – diet and exercise Following the initiation of this programme, there was encouraging results from both
the client as well as their caregivers. Notably, there was an increase in the quality of life in both the client as well as their caregivers. Relapse rates were also lower as
they were able to recognise the early warning signs of possible relapse Ghaus Z, 2006.
With the success of the HBUK-PET programme, the researchers have decided to adapt the 5 modules into a community care setting. As this is a pioneering
initiative, the researchers have decided to study the effectiveness of the structured psychoeducation programme among caregivers of schizophrenics in the community.
The researchers hope to be able to make recommendations with regards to a uniformed national psychoeducation programme for schizophrenia patients.
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Efective Implementation of a Structured Psychoeducation Programme among Caregivers of Schizophrenia Patients in the Community
1.4 Problem analysis
The main aim of this study is to assess if a structured psychoeducation programme can be effectively implemented among schizophrenia patients in the community
please refer to Figure 1. However, the researchers foresee some possible problems with implementation of this study.
Similar programmes have been implemented in many psychiatric institutions in Malaysia. The HBUK-PET programme has been shown to be successful in the short
term, but the long term sustainability has yet to be studied locally. There is a need to ensure that the delivery of the psychoeducation programme is standardised and
less operator dependent. To ensure success of the programme, adequate trainers must be available to impart the knowledge needed. With this, the issue of time,
budget, and suitable infrastructure and resources is crucial.
Issues with staff are inseparable from the success of the programme. Adequate staff is needed for the programme to be carried out so that the existing staff is not over-
burdened, considering the ever-widening scope of the primary healthcare. Staffs need to have the correct attitude to run the programme. Incentives allowance,
promotional prospects should be considered to motivate and drive the staff.
Can we effectively implement a structured psychoeducation
programme among caregivers of schizophrenia patients in the
community?
Lack of Infrastructure
Resources
Unsure of long term
sustainability Defaulters
dropout rates
Programme implementation
Lack of budget
Delivery of a standardized
programme Lack of
qualified trainers
Extended time factor needed for
programme Staff factors
Poor attitude
Lack of staff
Increased burden of
work
Patient care-giver factors Poor
insight about
disease Poor
knowledge about
disease Lack of
motivation Incentive
Figure 1. Problem analysis chart
