[Chronic mental illness: quality of life]

The article summarizes briefly the most important directions of research in the quality of life (QOL) of schizophrenic patients. Results gained by cited authors seem to confirm that the QOL of these patients is lower in comparison with normal population. Researchers look for factors that would be able to rise the subjective QOL of this population. It seems that the most influential factors are: rehabilitation programs, work, active way of spending free time and suitable pharmacological treatment. It is also very important that patients included in community care program and those who live in group houses for patients have the highest QOL. We present also first results of our work that mostly confirm other data and a questionnaire designed for investigation of the quality of life in chronically ill patients.