Met and unmet needs of schizophrenia patients in a Spanish sample

Deinstitutionalization of people with schizophrenia increases the importance of evaluating their needs. This study set out to identify the most common needs of people with schizophrenia who live in the community, analyze how those needs differ when evaluated by staff or by patients, describe the kind of help patients receive, and find out the variables that correlate with having unmet needs. A random sample of 231 outpatients with schizophrenia were evaluated with the Camberwell Assessment of Need and other predictor and outcome variables. Staff detected more needs than patients did. Mean number of needs as rated by patients was 5.36 and staff 6.6 (p < 0.001). Mean number of unmet needs was also greater when assessed by staff than by patients: 1.38 versus 1.82 (p < 0.001). The most frequently detected needs by patients involved psychotic symptoms, house upkeep, food, and information. Staff most often detected needs involving psychotic symptoms, company, daytime activities, house upkeep, food, and information. In a multiple regression model, needs were weakly associated with the clinical variables and quality of life. Needs assessment is complementary to clinical evaluation in schizophrenia.