Family therapy influences on general adult psychiatry

Case notes of all patients admitted from two adjacent catchment areas with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or psychosis were examined for information concerning the patient's family. On average, case notes contained only 9-25% of the basic information looked for. Family trees were rarely drawn. A record was made of contact with families of only half the sample. It is suggested that information concerning families is not considered of major importance in the management of such cases.