A guideline for establishing medication teaching groups for schizophrenic patients

Guidelines for establishing patient-oriented medication teaching groups for the schizophrenic patient are described. The importance of patient education has been well documented, although the effort and subsequent efficacy is still equivocal. Schizophrenic patients have several factors that may lead to drug default. By increasing the patient's database regarding the neuroleptic drug class, an increase in patient compliance may result. An approach to surveying existing programs, soliciting administrative support, addressing the patient, and plans for followup evaluation are outlined in a comprehensive format. It is the author's opinion that this format is highly successful and can be implemented at other institutions.