ABSTRACT:
FACTORS IMPORTANT FOR COMPLIANCE AMONG CROATIAN PATIENTS SUFFERING FROM SCHIZOPHRENIA - HOW TO IMPROVE PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES IN CROATIA?
Sanja Martic-Biocina & Vesna Baric
Psychiatric Hospital Vrapce, Bolnicka cesta 32, Zagreb, Croatia
SUMMARY
In our paper we analyzed the results of the questionnaire for compliance and insight into the disease among chronic schizophrenic patients and their carers in Croatia. We interviewed thirty female patients and fifteen carers. We have found out that patients in general have poor knowledge about the illness, symptoms and side effects of medicine which is similar to the results obtained by other studies. Patients often stop taking medicine, which results in exacerbation of the disease (in average 10 hospitalizations during 12 years of disease) mainly because of checking whether they have been cured and because of the side effects of medication. Two thirds were diagnosed during the period of one year from the onset of the disease, and one third between one and five years. The most valuable information they get about illness and about drugs is from psychiatrists and from direction in medicine box. Information from other medical staff was estimated the same as of non- professional people, e.g. friends and family. Over 70 percent of patients did not have contact with educational material like leaflets, only 3% use Internet. Both groups were completely unsatisfied with the role of the media.
Stigma problem was denied by the group of patients but reported by carers in a way that 40% still hide from someone the illness of the family member.
According to the results of the questionnaire we detected some good points in care of the patients, and found new ideas how to improve psychiatric services in Croatia.
Key words: compliance – adherence – schizophrenia - treatment
Psychiatria Danubina, 2005; Vol. 17, No. 1–2, pp 36–41 Original paper
© Medicinska naklada – Zagreb, Croatia
