[Patient countersigned referral letters in schizophrenic disorders]

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology
• Patient-Centered Care

Context:

• Referral letters are crucial for continuity of care in mental health.
• Traditionally, patients with psychosis have had limited involvement in reviewing their own medical information.

Purpose:

• To explore the views of patients with psychosis regarding the discussion of their referral letters.
• To assess patient knowledge of their diagnosis after discussing the referral letter.
• To evaluate the impact of discussing referral letters on patient understanding and the doctor-patient relationship.

Summary:

• A study involving 80 patients with psychosis found that 92% responded very positively to discussing their referral letters.
• Patients reported increased transparency, better understanding of their illness, and improved doctor-patient relationships.
• Post-discussion, 96% of patients could accurately state their diagnosis upon hospital discharge.

Impact:

• Discussing referral letters empowers psychotic patients, fostering active participation in their care.
• This approach enhances communication and acceptance, potentially improving treatment adherence and disease course.
• Findings suggest that enabling patients to discuss referral letters is a valuable practice in psychiatric care.