Information and consent in schizophrenic patients in long-term treatment

Eighty-five schizophrenic patients being seen on a regular basis in an outpatient clinic were interviewed about information given to them concerning their treatment. The patients were asked about risks and side effects on neuroleptics, coping strategies in regard to side effects, therapeutic effects and diagnosis, knowledge about therapy, and personal evaluation of their information. The results are discussed with respect to both the legal and therapeutic aspects of patients' information. Issues considered include the extent to which highly compliant patients know important facts about their treatment, how satisfied they are with the information given to them, and the implications for informed consent.