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Efective Implementation of a Structured Psychoeducation Programme among Caregivers of Schizophrenia Patients in the Community
The interventional group with structured psychoeducation programme: 1.
Jelapang Health Clinic 2.
Tanjung Malim Health Clinic with Psychosocial Rehabilitation Unit 3.
Tapah Hospital The control non-intervention group with standard treatment:
1. Slim River Health Clinic
2. Tanjung Rambutan Health Clinic
3. Simee Health Clinic with Psychosocial Rehabilitation Unit
4. Manjoi Health Clinic
Of the 2 clinics with Psychosocial Rehabilitation Unit, caregivers of patients from Tanjung Malim health clinic were chosen to be in the intervention group whereby
those from Simee health clinic were in the control group.
3.6 Data collection tools and techniques
1. Data on demography of caregiver, patient, and staff were recorded in the
Caregiver Demographic Data Form Appendix B, Patient Demographic Data Form Appendix C, and Staff Demographic Data Form.
2. Evaluation of the understanding of schizophrenia illness was done using
the Knowledge Questionnaire Form Appendix D based on existing HBUK questionnaire module.
3. Data on the burden of the patient to the caregiver were scored using The Family
Burden Interview Schedule- Short Form FBISSF Appendix E which was self- administered by the caregiver with the help of the interviewer. The FBISSF is
a toolkit for evaluating family experiences with severe mental illness prepared by Richard Tessler and Gail Gamache from the Department of Sociology, Social
and Demographic Research Institute, University of Massachusetts. The FBIS SF has 5 sections. Responses are rated on a 5-point Likert scale.
a. Section A: Assistance in daily living module
b. Section B: Supervision module
c. Section C: Financial expenditures module
d. Section D: Impact on daily routines module
e. Section E: Worry
4. Questionnaire on the Feasibility of the Psychoeducation Programme Appendix
F was used to assess the opinion of staff conducting the psychoeducation modules.
5. Data on pretest and post test results were recorded using the Pre Post Test
Report Form Appendix G.
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Efective Implementation of a Structured Psychoeducation Programme among Caregivers of Schizophrenia Patients in the Community
6. Data on readmission rate and default on follow up was recorded at the end
of the study using the Patient Demographic Data Form, which was filled up by the staff.
7. Staff involved in the training used the Psychoeducation Programme Registration
Form Appendix H to keep track of all caregivers and patients who participated in the study. Clinic appointments were made using the Appointment Form
Appendix I.
3.7 Data analysis and interpretation
The raw data were processed and entered for data analysis according to the different phases, starting as soon as the patients were recruited, until the end of the study.
Data collected were sorted out and processed on a weekly basis. Data entry, utilising codes, was done using the SPSS programme. Computer assisted analysis was carried
out at the end of the study. Chi-square tests and T-tests were used in the statistical analysis of the data.
4.0 RESULTS
4.1 Socio-demography of caregivers
A total of 114 caregivers of patients with schizophrenia were selected from 7 clinics. 58 were recruited into the intervention group and 56 into the control group. However,
only 54 patients in the intervention group and 55 in the control group were included in the data analysis. The following caregivers were excluded and the reasons for the
exclusion are below.
a. Intervention group
– 1 patient from Tanjung Malim health clinic passed away during the study,
and the respective caregiver was dropped from the study. –
1 caregiver from the same clinic developed a stroke midway through the study and was thus unable to care for the patient and was subsequently
excluded.
– 2 caregivers from the same clinic did not undergo the baseline audit
and were therefore excluded. b.
Control group –
1 caregiver from Simee health clinic was not traceable during the 6
th
month follow-up period and was thus excluded from the study.
